Bed Rock Type Study
The chart below is a summary Type Study of Stanley Bed Rock Planes based on Bob Kaune’s thorough 1996 study and additional research I have conducted over the past several years. Please note that all type studies are approximate as production variations throughout the manufacturing years were quite common. Also keep in mind that Type Studies are present day references, time-lines that map changes in the design and features of tools manufactured in the past. Understand that neither Stanley nor any other manufacturer followed type studies. They didn’t exist at the time. In fact, it is only in the last 30 years or so that type studies have been assembled through historical research and the physical inspection of hundreds or thousands of tools made over the years.
| Bed Rock Distinguishing Features By Type |
Dates |
||
|
Low Knob – Rounded Sides |
Type 1 | Beds marked with Bailey model numbers (Nos.2 to 8.) Space below “PAT’D APR. 2. 95” was milled out at the factory S casting mark on bed (a single raised dot on some specimens) Frogs & Lever Caps have “B” casting marks Lateral lever has two patent dates “10-21-84 & 7-24-88” STANLEY R & L CO…BED ROCK on lever caps, Q trademark stamp on most irons |
1898 |
| Type 2 | 7-24-88 is the only patent date on the lateral adjustment lever |
1898-1899 |
|
| Type 2a | Model No.603 and 604 beds (only these two) were marked “No.60x” |
1899 |
|
| Type 3 | All beds now marked with “600” numbers, i.e.; No.602 – 608 No milled space below “PAT’D. APR. 2. 95.” on bed, B casting marks Frogs of some planes are nickel-plated on the machined surfaces |
1900-1908 |
|
| Type 4 | B casting marks eliminated. No patent dates on the lateral adjustment lever Lever caps now marked “STANLEY….BED ROCK” Some irons have “S” trademark stamp, later planes have “T” trademark stamp |
1908-1910 |
|
|
High Knob – Flat Sides |
Type 5 | Beds now marked “BED ROCK” in addition to “600” model numbers 2 patent dates behind frog, “PAT’D. APR. 2. 95″ & APR. 19. 10” Flat-top sides introduced for first time Raised knob receiver (flat version), Tall knobs introduced, “T” tm on irons Frogs are now attached to beds with adjustment pins and set screws |
1911 |
| Type 6 | Lever caps now marked “BED ROCK” Irons stamped with “V” trademark or “X” trademark stamps |
1912-1921 |
|
| Type 6a | 1-1/4″ diameter frog adjustment wheel Iron stamped with “Y” Trademark (1922-1923) |
1922 |
|
| Type 7 | One patent date behind the frog – “U.S. PAT. APR. 19. 10.” Lever caps marked “STANLEY” only in the notched rectangular logo Irons stamped with “AA” Trademark (1923-1935) |
1923-1926 |
|
| Type 8 | Bed now stamped “MADE IN USA” in addition to the one patent date Knob receiver boss now cupped for fitting knob |
1927-1930 |
|
| Type 9 | Beds no longer have a patent date; stamped “MADE IN U.S.A.” only Some lever caps nickel-plated with orange paint behind STANLEY logo |
1931-1932 |
|
| Type 10 | Beds of No.603, 604 & 605-1/4 planes have raised handle receivers Some frogs have orange paint on sides like Bailey planes Lever caps now have kidney-shaped bolt holes Irons stamped with BB tm starting in 1936 |
1933-1941 |
|
| Type 11 | Castings are heavier and thicker during war production years Finishes left rough; lever caps not plated or polished |
1942 |
|
| Type 12 | Frog adjustment nut either hard rubber or small diameter steel Knob and handle are hardwood (maple) with dark varnish stain All brass parts eliminated during war-time production END OF PRODUCTION FOR BED ROCK PLANES |
1943 |
|
Virginia Toolworks 
Excellent study and a great help. Gordon Malcolm Scotland
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Thanks, Gordon!
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First off, thanks for all of this information! I bought what was purported to be a Bedrock 606 with rounded sides. No “Bedrock” castings on the body, does have the three lined lever cap and there is a “B” stamped in the bed under the tote. Does this sound legitimate to you? Thanks!
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Could be, but hard to tell from the information you provided. The early Bed Rocks from 1898 to 1899 were not marked Bed Rock. They were marked with the Bailey numbers. The lateral lever should have either one or two dates – 10-21-84 and/or 7-24-88. The space below the Apr 2, 95 patent date behind the frog should be milled out (like it was a mistake). And finally, the frog should have the rear adjustment screw like you see on the later Bailey Planes. Check your lateral lever for patent dates and take a look at what is marked behind the frog.
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Have you ever seen a Bedrock with a red frog, blue tote, and knob?
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Nope. Not a Bedrock.
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Is it generally believed that the corrugated versions of the Bed Rock planes were also made in the Type 1 configuration (ground off patent date)? I have a complete set of the smooth bottom type 1’s, except for the #2 and I had not seen a corrugated type 1 one until a couple days ago when I snagged a #6. As an aside, probably the rarest plane in my collection is a round sided 605 1/4 circa 1930 or 31 that was definitely cast that way and not cut down from a flat sided one. Someone must have done a special order, or perhaps someone at the factory made it for themselves. The proportions of the sides including the thinning at the top of the round side are exactly like the other size Bed Rocks made before 1911.
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