Anyone any good at dating old Stanleys?

[Scouse]

So I went to a car boot sale this morning fully expecting to witness the usual resurected landfill, when I happened upon this, my first Stanley bench plane, and I wondered if anyone could illuminate me with regard to age? I've looked at a few websites which have given me a rough idea, if it were American, but the cutter says Made in England. So:

As you can see it is a Stanley No4 Bailey, rosewood handle and knob

It says Bailey No4 round the knob, the lever cap has a dark patina, unlike the shiny chrome of my late 50's Records. The cutter just has 'Stanley Made in England' on it.

The lever cap has the older style keyhole rather than the later kidney shaped hole for the screw, and the lateral adjuster lever has 'STANLEY' on it.

There is a patent date cast into the area in front of the handle, 'U.S. PAT. APR-19-10', and there is the remnant of a sticker on the side of the handle, which looks like it once looked like this

http://www.toolexchange.com.au/imagesUSERS/tn8197.jpg

Old style frog, the bottom of the lateral adjuster has a moving bearing similar to pre War Records, rather that the fixed circular thingy (like on later Record's) which fits the slot in the blade. Clearer view of the lever cap.

Apparently, if it were American, it would be a Type 13, from 1925-1928.

Only cost £8, so happy days, but would love to know if the date presented by the American websites is accurate.

Cheers.

 

[Recky33]

If it has a US pat on the body it usually means its an American body, Going off the length of the blade its been added later maybe after the original had worn out.

For £8 a very nice find indeed

 

[Vann]

It's a USA made one, so you can trust the 'dating' info you've found - but with a replacement UK made cutting iron.

Base, frog and lever-cap are all American (not English) Stanley. Should be a good plane.

Cheers, Vann.

 

[myturn]

Bit out of practice at dating, especially anyone with a name like Stanley!

 

[Scouse]

It's a USA made one...Base, frog and lever-cap are all American (not English) Stanley...

Thanks for the replies so far.

Vann, what is it abut the base, frog and lever cap that denotes an American as opposed to a British plane? I'm familiar with the changes made by Record to their frogs etc, but I have somehow managed to avoid Stanleys and I have not seen an American Stanley up against a British one to be able to compare.

Cheers

El

 

[Alf]

Off the top of my head, I have a feeling all the GB-made Stanleys have "Made in England" cast in the body. Certainly by 1936, when Stanley GB was born, the USA-made ones hand "Made in the USA" cast in them.

Anyway, other things that say 'Murrican to me, in no particular order, would be the patent date cast into the body, the thinness of the sides, the keyhole shaped lever cap hole, and the decal on the rear tote. The elegance of the rear tote and the surface of the frog also strongly suggest same, and at the least will generally tend to be found on an older plane - dunno about anyone else, but I don't think I've ever seen an early GB Stanley. Never rely on the iron as a means of identification. They get replaced, lost, swapped about, you name it.

S'nice plane - good buy for £8.

 

[Richard T]

Looks very similar to mine which I have nailed (I think) to 1931/2.

As you can see though, it clearly has USA cast into the body.

this is real heirloom quality - a genuine heirloom as it belonged to my great uncle Harry who died in 1935. Hope this helps more than it confuses.

Hmmm... "Bailey" and "4" in opposite positions (homer)

 

[toolsntat]

Scouse ,definitely American, it is a Type 13, from 1925-1928 8)
The missing blade would have had the final of the three SW trademarks ie. SW in a heart touching the
bottom line of the Stanley notched rectangle 1923-1935......

Nice plane :wink:

Richard, yes yours is as you say Type 15 1931-1932 and the blade logo should be as above =D>

Hmmm... "Bailey" and "4" in opposite positions (homer)

Type 14 was the changeover as
MADE IN USA was used on the toe with Bailey behind the knob and No4in line with the knob between 1929-1930

Nice plane also but with that provenance priceless :wink:

Andy

 

[Scouse]

Looks very similar to mine which I have nailed (I think) to 1931/2.

That's a lovely plane, the little family story makes it all the more special, unlike mine who's story began with 'I'll not take less than 8 quid for it mate' ...!

Aside from the differences in lettering on the casting, the main difference is the ring round the front knob, which was not present on the Type 13 and which led, as on mine to small cracks around the base of the knob. I'll probably turn a new one and keep the old one safe from further damage.

I wonder if there are any age appropriate blades out there.

Thanks for all the replies, finding manufacturing dates for old Stanleys has turned out to be a lot more fun than the frustrating experience I was expecting.

 

[Henry Disston]

The original blade had a logo like this

They are good blades.

 

[Scouse]

Thanks for that, I'll keep an eye out, although I won't hold out much hope!

 

[cam]

This blade was used by Stanley in 1920-21 area..making it probably a type 12

 

[toolsntat]

This blade was used by Stanley in 1920-21 area..making it probably a type 12

The blade shown is common to types ,late 12 thru to mid 16(1935) according to JOHN WALTER

Andy