Thread: Old Level ID - Stanley?

I have no doubt it is a Stanley. Unfortunately, it seems to have had a hard life. The pictures are not the best I have ever seen so I can't tell much from them. How long is it? Did the hole at the left end appear to have ever had a vial in it? I would be inclined to think not. I will take a look in my Stanley book to see if I can find something that resembles it but Stanley made a wide range of levels so I might not have all that much luck.

I would think the wood is likely original.

The level is 30" long. I'll post more pictures, but if you want a picture of something specific, just let me know. The hole on the left actually does have a vial in it (see new pics). Thanks.

You would be surprised how well they will clean up. The longer Stanleys were made from nice wood, like cherry or mahogany. The shorter ones were usually rosewood, sometimes walnut.

Toby

I haven't found a Stanley level exactly like yours anywhere on the 'web', but there is an endless variety out there. On the ones that I've seen, the lettering is in a straight line, not arched, and all of the longer ones I've seen have finger grooves on the sides. Clean the top plate some and see if it does in fact say Stanley, it should also have some patent dates.

There are some catalogs here, that you can download.

Toby

I cleaned it up some, but it appears any other printing has worn away. No patent dates either. I can clearly read "Rule & Level" in the first arch, "New Britain" in the second arch, and "Conn" in the bottom arch. Were there any other tool manufacturers that might match those?

Not that I'm aware of. Clean on the other end of the vial, Stanley stamped the model there, like, No. 0 , in fact the No. 0 is the closest thing to yours that I've seen that Stanley made.

Toby

P.S. I have seen the model no. on the top on a few of them, but most have it on the other end of the vial.

This one is very similar, but not exactly the same. But it has arched lettering, and no grooves.

Stanley Wooden Carpenters Plumb & Level 30" Type 2A for sale

Toby

I have a Stanley No. 5 and it is like you described, with the type number on the other end of the vial. This one has nothing there.

I believe the link you sent me is the one I have. It looks exactly the same as mine, except mine has 2 brass corner pieces on each end, which may have been lost on the one you found. It said it's from 1867-1869 and has a type 2A logo, which is found in the "Stanley Register". Anyone know where I can find the "Stanley Register"?

Thanks.

I saw that too, I Googled it and got stuff about Stanley Steamers.

Toby

I think the level you have is a Stanley Rule & Level co. No.10. A mahogany level with brass tips, lips, and top plate.
The No. 10 was made between 1859 &1917.
The " Stanley Registry" is a new one for me also.....but the 2a referenced is a Stanley type study in John Walter's book on Stanley tools.
The type study for trade marks on levels, originally by Rick Breeze, and updated by Don Rosebrook, gives the date for yours as a type 2, 1860 - 1869, and that is when they were non-adjustable vials ( so no patent dates on the level).

The type 1 from 1857 - 60 is the same as yours but with an eagle enclosed in the circle the wording makes.

The type 2a, which follows yours is boat shaped logo with a patent date, Sept 1869 between a curved upper "Stanley Rule & Level" and on the bottom " New Britain Conn". It was used between 1867 & 69, so it suggests there was an overlap with the patented adjustable levels.

A pretty early level in a pretty sad state. Looks like weathered mahogany to me.

All my early Stanley catalogues, and reprints are packed away so we can paint my den, so I can't copy them for you.

Regards,
Peter

Thanks Peter,
I was doing what I could to help schuld66, but Stanley levels aren't really something I'm all that familiar with. I was hoping someone who knew what they were talking about would jump in.

Toby

Thanks to Peter and Toby -- your help was greatly appreciated!

I do a lot of garage/estate sale shopping and I'm always on the lookout for old tools, especially Stanley. I sell some to feed my habit, but this one I'll keep and add to my collection.

Any idea what I can do to spruce it up a little? The brass tips have a little wobble in them, but the screw heads are just about flat on most. What do you recommend on the wood?

Thanks,
Dave