Block Plane Dating
Block Planes from the Author’s Collection
A great deal of research has been dedicated to dating Stanley’s bench planes over the years, with type studies established for the Bailey and Bedrock lines, as well as many of the most popular specialty planes. While comprehensive type studies exist for the no. 110, no. 9-1/2, and nos. 18/19 series of block planes, there doesn’t appear to be much information on the nos. 60 or 65 series of low angle blocks.
Frustrated at this, I began a quest two or three years ago to identify the major changes in the design and production of Stanley’s premium block planes, with a focus on the no. 60 series and no. 65 series. Using existing reference material from the previous type studies, I poured over old catalogs, advertisements, the planes themselves, and anything else I could get my hands on.
Rather than try to create a formal type study, I decided to focus more on the practical goal of simply establishing criteria for dating the planes within the narrowest possible time frame. While there are still some gaps and inconsistencies across models (some of which appear within the published type studies of the nos. 9-1/2 and 18 series), I’ve been able to narrow down the manufacturing date ranges for most major features. I intend to eventually format the data into a more usable format, but for now I want to put it out for reference and feedback. By cross-referencing the key features below, you should be able to narrow down the age of your plane to within a few years of manufacture.
Date your Stanley Block Plane:
| Model | 9 1/2 Series | 18-19 Series | 60 & 60-1/2 | 65 & 65-1/2 | |
| Intro. 1873 | Intro. 1888 | Intro. 1898/1902 | Intro. 1898/1902 | ||
| Body Style | Detail | ||||
| Excelsior Body | Profile Hump Toward Rear | 1873-1898 | 1888-1898 | – | – |
| Handi-Grip Introduced | Thumb Indentions in Sides | 1898+ | 1898+ | All Years | All Years |
| Centered Profile Handi-Grip | Profile Hump Centered w/ Indents | 1900+ | 1899+ | All Years | All Years |
| Non-Adjustable Throat | – | – | 1898-1902 | 1898-1905 | |
| Bed Stamping | 97 Patent Date behind frog | 1900-1904 | 1899-1903 | 1898-1903* | 1898-1903* |
| S Foundry Mark | 1894-1900 | 1889-1902 | 1898-1900* | 1898-1900* | |
| B Foundry Mark | 1901-1904 | 1901-1902 | 1901-1904* | 1901-1905* | |
| “Stanley” added to toe | 1920+ | 1910+ | – | – | |
| “Made in USA” added behind frog | 1930+ | 1930+ | 1930+* | 1930+* | |
| Model # stamped on side | 1947+ | 1947+ | 1947+* | 1947+* | |
| Front Knob Boss | Raised from 1/8″ to 1/4″ | 1920+ | 1910+ | 1910+* | 1910+* |
| Lateral Lever Stamp | 3 Dates – 76, 84, 88 (bent up) | 1888-1889 | 1888 | – | – |
| 4 Dates – 76, 84, 88, 88 | 1890-1897 | 1889-1897 | – | – | |
| 4 Dates – 84, 88, 88, 97 | 1898-1901 | 1898-1901 | – | – | |
| 3 Dates – 88, 88, 97 | 1901-1907 | 1901-1906 | – | – | |
| 1 Date – 97 | 1908-1909 | 1907 | – | – | |
| No Date or Stanley Only | 1910-1919 | 1908-1919 | – | – | |
| No markings | 1920+ | 1920+ | – | – | |
| Eccentric Throat Lever | 94 Patent Date | 1894-1909 | 1894-1907 | 1903-1907 | 1906-1907 |
| Unmarked | 1909+ | 1907+ | – | 1908+ | |
| Unmarked – Tip Turned Up | 1955+ | 1930s-50s* | 1907+* | – | |
| Lever Cap | |||||
| Flat Bench Plane Style | Small Flat Bench Plane Style | 1872-1874 | – | – | – |
| Hooded w/ Bottom Lever | Dimpled w/ Scalloped Edge | 1874-1879 | – | – | – |
| Hooded w/ Bottom Lever | Thin Ribbon Hood | 1879-1885 | – | – | – |
| Hooded w/ Bottom Lever | Matt Texture | 1885-1886 | – | – | – |
| Hooded w/ Bottom Lever | Fine Cross Hatching | 1886-1900 | – | – | – |
| Hooded w/ Top Lever | 10-12-97 Pat Date around Lever | 1901-~1917 | – | 1898-~1917* | 1898-~1917* |
| Hooded w/ Top Lever | No Date, Machined Edges | ~1918-1955 | – | ~1918-1955* | ~1918-1950* |
| Hooded w/ Top Lever | Japanned Edges | 1956-1960 | – | 1956-1960* | – |
| Knuckle Joint – Style 1 | 1st Type – “Stanley” w 86 Pat Date | – | 1888-1904 | – | – |
| Knuckle Joint – Style 1 | 1st Type – “Stanley” Only | – | 1905-1912 | – | – |
| Knuckle Joint – Style 2 (1913+) | 2nd Type – “Stanley” w/ 13 Pat Date | – | 1913-1919 | – | 1913-1919* |
| Knuckle Joint – Style 2 | 2nd Type – “Stanley SW” w/ 13 Date | – | 1920-1935 | – | 1920-1935* |
| Knuckle Joint – Style 2 | 2nd Type – “Stanley” Only (-War Yrs) | – | 1936+ | – | 1936+ |
| Rear Depth Adj Screw | Thicker Knurled Knob Introduced | – | – | 1930 | 1930 |
| Depth Adjustment Nut | Left Handed Threads | 1899+ | 1898+ | – | – |
* Estimated, Extrapolated, or Unconfirmed
~ Represents an approximate date
***
Tools shown in the photos on this site were returned to functional condition by Virginia Toolworks using museum quality archival preservation techniques. Sharpened and tuned for use, every tool is fully tested and adjusted until perfect.
Virginia Toolworks 
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Any idea on a “C” foundry mark on the bed and lever cap?
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I’ve never seen a C foundry mark on a Stanley and I can’t find much reference for it elsewhere. There’s a thread on sawmillcreek from a couple of years ago that questions a C foundry mark on a Great Neck block plane, and someone responded that they had seen this on a Stanley 220. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/archive/index.php/t-207331.html
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Ok thanks. It looks old but has the STANLEY and MADE IN USA embossed, japanned lever cap and body top and no other stamps/marks except for the two “C”s.
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Hmm.. I’d love to see a couple of photos if you want to send them to vatoolworks@gmail.com.
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I just bought one today exact same discription
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I have one. I will be getting photos. I have already repainted it. Looks like my 9 1/2. May be from the war years. No brass at all. The front knob and adjustment wheel are all steel. The sides of the plane lack the handy holds. It was a real rust bucket when I received it.
I will send pictures when I have them.
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I have one that has the c on the base of the plane and under the lever cap. It is a 9 1/2. I believe mine is from the war years. It does not have the handy hokds and it also has no brass on it at all. The front knob and adjuster wheel are both steel. This plane was in very bad shape when I received it.
I will be getting pictures soon and will forward them on.
Thanks.
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Has anyone seen a thinner rear knurled adjustment screw without the Stanley logo stamped on the screw of a no. 60 or 65 block plane? I have three no. 203 block planes and one has a thinner knurled unmarked screw blade adjustment screw. Appears to be an earlier vintage, possibly just as the thicker screw was introduced in 1930. Other unusual characteristic is smaller diameter lever cap screw into the body.
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To my knowledge, the Stanley logo was stamped on all the adjustment knobs of the 60/65 series from time of introduction until the 1930s. Without a closer inspection, my guess is that the knob and the smaller diameter cap screw are probably non-original replacements from other planes and/or manufacturers.
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I have a Stanley #18 sweetheart style 2. It doesn’t have made in USA Has both S and B marked on the adjustable mouth plate. What year would that put it? On the chart the S and B foundry mark seem to end in 1902
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The S and B on the underside of the mouth plate is common, and the dates for this doesn’t reflect the same dates as the S and B foundry marks on the body. I’ve seen the S and B on mouth plates dating into the 1930s. Your plane predates 1930, when Made in USA was added. If it has Stanley on the toe, it was made after 1920. If not, it was made sometime before 1920. Impossible to narrow further without more information. Hope this helps.
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It’s definitely a 1920’s sweetheart pre-30’s. I was just thrown with the S and B markings confusing those as foundry marks. Thanks for a great write up!
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I have a B casting #65 with double (2) B’s stamped on the throat plate. I bought it for the perfect patent date eccentric lever/parts. Just too bad the throat is seriously damaged.
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I have a plane that is identical to my knuckle joint no 18 stanley, with exception of not having the eccentric throat adjustment lever. It has no marking on the cap, except a B on the underside. The lat adj lever has, crossways, PAT 3 97 on it… (not sure about the three..could be an 8). The iron is marked REV-O-NOC & co. I’m assuming Stanley made this plane? What was their relationship with Rev o noc, and how long did it seem to last?
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Rev-o-Noc was a tradename owned by the Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., of Chicago, IL. HSB was a department store of sorts, and sold all sorts of things using their Rev-O-Noc brand, including tools, rifles, and shotguns. Think of it this way… Rev-O-Noc was to HSB what Craftsman is to Sears.
There also seems to be a relationship to Richards & Conover of Kansas City, MO. Supposedly, HSB hired Conover to contract out their tools. Note Revonoc is Conover spelled backwards.
To your question, Stanley (and others) made at least some of the Rev-O-Noc branded planes. I don’t know how long the relationship lasted.
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Thanks for your response.
Uh…gee…another question, if I may? Did Stanley ever use a knob with a ferrule on their 110 block planes? I’ve got a 110 sweetheart with a ferruled knob, and I suspect the knob, (which is taller than standard, with no finger indent on top), is a jury rigged addition from some klutz that broke or lost the orginal knob.
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No ferruled knobs. It’s a replacement for sure!
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Received a #220 for Christmas :) Made in Canada, Stanley and No, 220 in raised letters on the toe, Patent 10-12-97 around lever, S foundry mark. Any ideas on the age? Doesn’t seem to fit these categories.
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Most likely right around 1900, give or take a year or two. Nice gift!!
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Awesome, thanks!
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I bought a box of old tools today and have a block plane. Hooded with top lever patent# 10-12-97. Upon further inspection. Behind the frog is another patent # 8-3-97. Then on the front I think it is called eccentric adjustment. (Brass locking knob). There is a date stamp of Feb 20, 94. How bout them apples?
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Different features have different patent dates. Not unusual to see multiple dates on the various parts of planes. Sounds like what you have is a no. 9-1/2 likely made sometime between 1901 and 1904, give or take a couple of years.
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I have just acquired a no 60 1/2 Stamped on left side. Blade- STANLEY and under that Made in USA. Depth adj rear knob_ Stanley Made in USA with a snail lake swirl that starts in center and curves out and around and and ends just as it enters the S in USA. On the casting just under the blade and rear of the screw left of center is a C. Straight across on the right side is what appears to be a 5. Japaned Lever cap and top of base. Brass front knob steel real knob. I’m guessing after 1930. Seen one on ebay exactly like it with a SW logo on blade. Is it possible it could be a SW and what year(s) was it produced. Thanks
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You lost me at “snail lake swirl.” However, the stamp on the side of the body puts this after 1947, when Stanley started marking the sides of their planes, so not a SW era plane.
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Lol. Typo. Snail like swirl. @ <kinda like that but minus the "a" It a machining line. Any other features mentioned that close the range of time down. Reading through the site. Cool place. Thanks for the reply Bryant.
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The only other feature I’m aware of on the later 60 series is that the edges of the lever cap were likely japanned rather than machined after 1956, same as the 9-1/2 series. So if your edges are japanned, it’s probably post 1956, if not, then the plane dates from about 1947 to 1955.
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Ok, I’m really confused. I understand the terms of 9 1/2, 18-19, 60-101/2 and so on series. Explain where the 110, 120,220 etc. series fits in. I’m having trouble identifying the mfg. dates on these block planes. Thanks you.
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Those numbers aren’t terms, they are all different models that Stanley made. This page is the best resource I know for dating them.
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On the hooded lever caps, what is the difference between top & bottom lever? I’ve been looking at planes on e-bay and using this chart to try and estimate the age, but I don’t get what I’m looking for in that particular category. I really appreciate the resources you provide on this site. It was after reading your “2 block planes everyone should own” article that I started looking at old Stanleys, and wound up with a No. 19 from the early 1900’s.
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Earlier block planes had the tensioning lever on the bottom of the rear of the cap, whereas later planes had the lever on the top center. These are far more common. Sorry, I don’t have photos for comparison, but a quick web search should illustrate the two designs.
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Sorry, I have no idea.
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I have an unmarked plane, identical to the No 15. and with features that this page places in 1900. Would love to nail it down. It could be a copy, unless Stanley didn’t mark the planes at one point.
Defining features:
– no patent dates or marks. None on the bed, cap, levers, etc. (year unknown)
– mouth adjustment knob is raised 1/8th, not 1/4 (1899+)
– cap is hooded, japanned, with a bottom lever and crosshatching (1886 – 1900)
– thumb indents (1898+)
– centered profile hump + indents (1900+)
It would make sense if it was a copy, missing patent dates, etc. and many features would be similar, I just cannot find mention of them being copied at that time. Could a later (ww2 ish) manufacturer have gone with an older design? Maybe due to patent issues or some reason they couldn’t copy a current plane. I would assume copies would be of current models, so as to directly compete and this plane has some very specific features that don’t match outside of the 1900 date. Features not seen after that point.
Any help would be appreciated and let me know if you want pics.
Cheers
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Forgot to mention, I’m going on the assumption, since I couldn’t find any data, that the No 15 was made alongside the 9 1/2 since it’s just a 7 inch version. So I may be waaay off, but I’m just going with what I can cobble together for info.
Please delete the second comment, I clicked the wrong button.
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The 15 was made from 1876 to 1955. The 9-1/2 was made from 1873 to 1981.
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Stanley’s block plane bodies were mostly unmarked until about 1920. Assuming all the parts are correct, it sounds like yours was made in 1900. There should, however, be four patent dates on the top of the lateral adjustment lever.
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No dates, replacement part or possibly still a copy?
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Anything is possible, and I haven’t seen it, but most likely a replacement part.
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Thanks for your help and the fast response. Let me know if you wanted any pics of the plane.
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Hi All
I am trying to identify the age of a block plane. My grandfather gave it to me about 56 years ago. It looked old then. The plane body has a small 120 cast into the back near the lever adjustment mechanism. It has no other casting marks whatsoever. It has a simple raised threaded stud at the front where the timber knob once screwed onto.The lever cap has the six point star. The body is 2″ x 7 1/8″ The blade is 1 5/8 inches wide. Anyone who can give me some clues as to its age would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
John
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Stanley #120 dating from the 1870s to 1880s
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Thanks Bryant. I did not expect it to be that old. In my youth I used the plane a lot.
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So, from 1906 to 1930 there would be no “bed stamping”? My No. 65 has none. It has a pre-1930’s rear depth adjustment screw, and a 1905-1912 knuckle cap, pre-1910 knob boss, a transitional unmarked downturned eccentric throat lever, circa 1907. Does this all jive?
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So, the way I read the table for the No 65, there will be no bed stamping from 1906 to 1930. Is that correct? My No. 65 has none. If this is incorrect, I’d appreciate someone letting me know. Thanks!
My No. 65’s characteristics:
– 1906-1930 – No bed stamping
– Pre-1910 front knob boss
– 1908+ throat adjustment lever
– 1905-1912 knuckle cap
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I just picked up 4 different Stanley low angle block planes at an auction for $8.05.
One of them apears to be a 18-19 and has “Stanley” PAT. DEC. 28, 86 stamped on the knucklejoint plate. It’s in a little rough shape but has been used well and could still function.
The other 3 are various Stanleys. The newest has a wood knob, has Stanley painted on it, was made in England and has CF and 1 cast in it. I assume it to be fairly recent. The 3rd is an economical Stanley Handyman. The 4th does not have Stanley anywhere on it, has made in use stamped in an arche at the back, a wood knob and a stamped metal adjustment/lock wheel.
Any confirmation and help would be appreciated. Also approximate value of especially the Pat 8y one.
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Ebay is your best bet for current values. Check the reference page for resources that will help you identify what you have.
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Bryant,
I’ve enjoyed learning this side of Stanley & Miller’s Falls planes. I owned and used five planes when I worked as carpenter then cabinetmaker in the ‘70s and 80’s. I gave away a corrugated sole joiner, a Jack, one I used as a scrub plane, and two block planes. I only kept the #45 Millers Falls block plane in huge downsizing to live in 25’ travel trailer.
Now, 14 years later, we’re again in a house and I’m building cabinets and cases for our home. Your material has aided me greatly in selecting and knowing my new old planes – a #3 type 15, a #5 type 17, and a 60 1/2. They’ll make my work more enjoyable. Thanks for adding insights and appreciation for these nice old tools.
Jim
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I have a 60 1/2, w/ a 1 3/8″ sweet heart stamped blade w/ ‘s’ and ‘Z’ stamped on under side of blade. Upper portion of japanned body in small box to right above flat head screw is stamped 322 under japanning. adjustment slide is turned up. knurled knob marked Stanley made in usa appears to be the wide knob. There are no other markings. wondering the age and what the 322 refers to. Thank You, Brian
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I inherited 8 vintage block planes. All I have been able to identify except one. It looks very similar to a stanley 110 except no maker markings and is a little shorter (6.5”). Made in USA is stamped on rear, 10 & U on the underside of the frog, and a U in a circle on the bed under the frog. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Debby Thomason
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Honestly could be anything, That type of plane was very common and was often offered as unbranded planes sold by retailers.
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