Identify Old Stanley Level
- Thread starter gcsmith50
- Start date
woody 73
Well-known member
Lets see Greg yes sir that level was made on April the 6th at 9:00AM, 1891 by workman Mike the hammer, Or "big Mike" to his friends. It was a cold and rainy day, not the kind of weather you want to be in... Big Mike had a hangover the night before and he was not in the best mood if you know what I mean.
Does that help you out for an approx. date ? Or do you want to know what he was eating for his lunch that day?
On the lighter side you are going to need to start hunting for more web information try starting here:
https://www.antique-used-tools.com/stanleylevels.htm
PS: I bet it was a baloney sandwich
Does that help you out for an approx. date ? Or do you want to know what he was eating for his lunch that day?
On the lighter side you are going to need to start hunting for more web information try starting here:
https://www.antique-used-tools.com/stanleylevels.htm
PS: I bet it was a baloney sandwich
jimreed2160
Well-known member
Nice vintage level. I expect the manufacturing date is within 20 years of the patent. The wood looks like cherry to me. Rosewood would be too heavy to carry around.
crguy
Well-known member
There should be a model number stamped on that level somewhere. Could be in the wood on top. Stanley made lots of rosewood levels, and they were used just like other levels. Yours is cherry. Cheaper than the rosewood ones. Those Phillips head screws are not original to the level.
four.cycle
Well-known member
If you've got the patent date, to to Google, enter "patent by date" and click the "DATAMP" site. Enter the patent date into the little window at the top. A page will open with a list of all patents issued on that date. By process of elimination, you can find what you're looking for.
Your date of Nov. 11, 1862 applies to US patent 36,906
The date of July 2, 1872 applies to US patent 128,513
easy peasy.
Other than that, I got nothin'. Don't know a thing about planes or levels.
Your date of Nov. 11, 1862 applies to US patent 36,906
The date of July 2, 1872 applies to US patent 128,513
easy peasy.
Other than that, I got nothin'. Don't know a thing about planes or levels.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
woody 73
Well-known member
Easy Peasy sure...First you got to find the model #.
Find the first year they made that model.
Find the last year they made that model.
Throw the dice and make a guess between the years.
Find the first year they made that model.
Find the last year they made that model.
Throw the dice and make a guess between the years.
crguy
Well-known member
The Stanley #3 Carpenter's level was made from 1877 - 1939.
The time frame for yours can be narrowed down somewhat by using a "type study" to compare the way the dates, etc. are stamped on the top plate.
Looks like it's probably 1872- 1889.
woody 73
Well-known member
A much better question would be...
What decade do you think this would come from, much better then "approx. date of my level". 1877- to 1939 is a big time frame of 62 years.
What decade do you think this would come from, much better then "approx. date of my level". 1877- to 1939 is a big time frame of 62 years.
Here are some pics
Attachments
RTM
Well-known member
No older than the newest patent date, and in theory no older than 17 years after the first patent.
So 1908 to 1911 is my guess.
Look thru catalogs here to see a model number. Yours has brass ends, brass trim on the main vial, but not on the plumb vial. With the adjustable should be a pretty small list of choices
crguy
Well-known member
There is usually a model number stamped somewhere. The end, top plate, or in the wood near the top plate. Looks like it's laminated rather than a single piece, which is a higher grade level.