Thread: Old Stanley Level ID

Originally Posted by schuld66

Can anyone help me out on this one? It does read "Stanley" on the round brass insert in the middle. The exact wording is "STANLEY" above the center hole, "ADJUSTABLE" under the hole, "PATENTED" on the left side of the hole, and "MAR 25 90" to the right of the hole. It is not shaped like any other levels I've seen. It's 33 1/4" in length and 3 7/8" high in the middle. The center bubble insert is round -- tough to describe, so I'll include some pictures.
Thanks.

schuld66,
Here is the patent for that date,
Patent US423969 - JUSTUS A - Google Patents
It looks to me like the original part of the level has been inserted into another length of shaped timber to suite the owner.

That patent was used on the Stanley #25, 30, 50, & 100 levels. (Don Rosebrook - American Level Patents - Illustrated and explained)
From the description it seems it would be pretty straight forward for the whole insert to be removed and inserted into another wooden stock.

Regards,
Peter

Peter,
That's what I thought probably happened. I was able to find Stanley levels with that insert and I saw that it wouldn't have been too difficult to remove it from a damaged level and put it into something home made.
Thanks,
Dave