How to Identify Stanley Hand Plane Age and Type (Type Study Tool)
Stanley Plane Identification: How to Identify Antique Stanley Bailey Hand Plane Age and Type?
By Joshua Farnsworth | Updated Feb 28, 2022
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How to Identify Stanley Hand Plane Age and Type (Type Study Tool)
Stanley Plane Identification: How to Identify Antique Stanley Bailey Hand Plane Age and Type?
By Joshua Farnsworth | Updated Feb 28, 2022
[Disclosure: WoodAndShop.com is supported by its audience. When you purchase through certain links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission, at no cost to you. Learn more.]
Below you will find a tool for Stanley plane identification, specifically dating Stanley planes and identifying the type of your Stanley Bailey woodworking bench hand planes. There are other good sites for dating Stanley planes (like Patrick’s Blood and Gore), but I’ve tried to make my Stanley plane type study the most clear and understandable resource, with plenty of photos to help you understand what you’re looking for.
You can also download my free Stanley plane identification PDF chart here. Please be aware: some antique Stanley planes that you buy will be harlequins, or conglomerates of parts from different years, so keep that in mind when listing a Stanley hand plane for sale. Also, Stanley type studies like this are most accurate for No. 4 Stanley Bailey Smoothing Planes. This tool does not work for the Stanley Bedrock planes or transitional planes. And it’s important to understand that the type number refers to the manufacturing release, not to the model number. Here is a list of the types and dates of the Stanley planes (scroll below the list to start the type study tool):
- Stanley Type 1 Handplanes: 1867-1869
- Stanley Type 2 Handplanes: 1869-1872
- Stanley Type 3 Handplanes: 1872-1873
- Stanley Type 4 Handplanes: 1874-1884
- Stanley Type 5 Handplanes: 1885-1888
- Stanley Type 6 Handplanes: 1888-1892
- Stanley Type 7 Handplanes: 1893-1899
- Stanley Type 8 Handplanes: 1899-1902
- Stanley Type 9 Handplanes: 1902-1907
- Stanley Type 10 Handplanes: 1907-1909
- Stanley Type 11 Handplanes: 1910-1918
- Stanley Type 12 Handplanes: 1919-1924
- Stanley Type 13 Handplanes: 1925-1928
- Stanley Type 14 Handplanes: 1929-1930
- Stanley Type 15 Handplanes: 1931-1932
- Stanley Type 16 Handplanes: 1933-1941
- Stanley Type 17 Handplanes: 1942-1945
- Stanley Type 18 Handplanes: 1946-1947
- Stanley Type 19 Handplanes: 1948-1961
- Stanley Type 20 Handplanes: 1962-1967
Search for these Stanley Bailey hand plane Types on eBay:
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 1 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 2 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 3 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 4 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 5 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 6 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 7 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 8 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 9 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 10 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 11 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 12 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 13 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 14 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 15 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 16 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 17 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 18 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 19 Handplanes on eBay
- Find Stanley Bailey Type 20 Handplanes on eBay
I’m trying to cobb together a Stanley no 2 from random components I’m acquiring. Are all the components interchangeable or will I run into problems when trying to assemble?
I received a hand plane in a old carpenter’s box of tools. I know the disston saw is 47ish and the other tools are 1940-1950 manufacture but their was a corrugated bottom hand plane with a stanley rule & co blade. However, there are no other markings, no ring on the front around the handle, no patent dates, the lateral adjustment has no markings and is not the correct type at the top, bent. However, when I removed the tote… Read more »
I really like your typing chart, but I can’t date my number 1 &2 using the chart for some reason
Yeah, the chart is meant to be accurate for #4 planes, and semi- accurate for other sizes.
Looking for what type my Stanley No 50 is. Doesn’t look completely like the ones I see on-line. Mine has 15 smooth backed cutters, not 17. Also does not have the cutter height lever I see in other pictures.
I love your website. Thank you for being so thorough, and so generous.
Do Stanley #5 jack planes have the raised knob under the tote like the #4 smoothers?
I can’t find on here the one that I have it is a Stanley
Ok, I have a old stanly #6 B casting I believe it to be model 7 but has corrugated sole. So I am new to hand tools liking them the older I get, and old machinist 61+. Question is the corrugated bottom and smooth bottom what is that in the scope of it all.
WOW….Thank you, for years I have been trying to ID and other stuff… you really helped … OORAH!! Back to work…
You’re most welcome!
Joshua, I recently bought a #4 1/2 bench plane that has no name. It has an S in front of the tote, which is 1″ thick, and the frog matches the Type 5-8 in all details. The blade adjustment knob is 1″ diameter, and has a right handed thread. The name on the blade is too badly pitted to read. The body is 2 3/4″ wide and 9 3/4″ long, plus another 3/8″ where the 3 1/2″ long tote seat… Read more »
Josha, I recently bought a #4 1/2 bench plane that has no name. It has an S in front of the tote, which is 1″ thick, and the frog matches the Type 5-8 in all details. The blade adjustment knob is 1″ diameter, and has a right handed thread. The name on the blade is too badly pitted to read. The body is 2 3/4″ wide and 9 3/4″ long, plus another 3/8″ where the 3 1/2″ long tote seat… Read more »
I recently became interested in restoring hand planes. I’ve acquired a Stanley Bailey #4 hand plane made in England. It was missing the Frog adjusting screw clip (I made my own) and the machine screw that holds the clip on. Can anyone tell me what size (probably metric) that machine screw is (length and diameter). Thanks
Being English made, I doubt if it’s metric thread unless very recent. More likely Whitworth or UNC if course thread or BSF if fine. Hope this helps.
I just found a Stanley #45 with 16 cutting blades what did I find
> Please be aware: some antique Stanley planes that you buy will be harlequins, or conglomerates of parts from different years… Err, what do you mean by “harlequin”? That’s a clown or comedic character, or so all of the dictionaries say. Conglomerate I understand and that’s a good warning. Anyway, thanks for the effort you put into the chart, but it still needs more effort. I have 2 old planes that it can’t identify. The first one clearly says “No… Read more »
Kevin, I recently bought a #4 1/2 bench plane that has no name. It has an S in front of the tote, which is 1″ thick, and the frog matches the Type 5-8 in all details. The blade adjustment knob is 1″ diameter, and has a right handed thread. The name on the blade is too badly pitted to read. The body is 2 3/4″ wide and 9 3/4″ long, plus another 3/8″ where the 3 1/2″ long tote seat… Read more »
I seen a plane it looks backwards it has a hand knob on the tail end and a thumb spot on the other. Next to the thumb spot the number 100 appears. I never saw one before. Can I get some feedback on what this is. Thank you
I have a Stanley wood plane pat. April 19 ,1910 . The blade is on the very front . I have researched endlessly and have not found one like it. Any information greatly appreciated .
It could be a harlequin hand plane, with parts from different years.
Thanks. I bought it as a user, and was able to tweak it so that it works fine.
How can anyone use this to find out what year or type their plane is? All I see is a list of planes and a picture after with no explanation and then just a link to buy it on eBay. This does not look clear and understandable
What would be more clear? You already went through each step identifying which parts the plane has.
It would be helpful if the type study relied on the presence or absence of a lateral adjustment.
I have 2 old hand planes from my dad. Using your snazzy interactive feature I was able to identify one as Type 16 Stanley Bailey Hand Plane (1933-1941), thank you! I’m having a hard time finding the other one. The only markings are C-255 X 5 and Made in USA. Can you help me further with identifying this one, please?
The body has one raised rib at the tote. What type is it?
Hi, Im trying to date my Stanley n4 that I already ordered. It has one patent date and raised front knob ring, so it should be type 14, but It also has a “MADE IN ENGLAND” behind the frog. Type 14 were made in USA, am I right?
Thanks, Anton
I have a possible type 15. My question is; does a type 15 have only one raised rib at the tote end?
Thank you very much for organizing what must be an absolutely mountainous amount of information into such an easy tool for people to use. I have it bookmarked on my cell for quick reference when I come across these planes in the wild and it is always great for getting me “in the ballpark”. Sincere thanks my friend.
So happy to hear the tool has been helpful Matt. I hope you check out our other articles and resources!
What type is it if it doesn’t have a ridge at the toe, but does at the heel? The front handle has a ridge around the base, it’s painted black and there are no patent marks. I’ve seen a few of these for sale on eBay here in the UK.
I have a small Stanley plane that does not have a knob. Any item which year this could be from?
So I bought what was characterized as a Stanley #3. It has a Stanley lever cap (with kidney screw hole). However, there is no “No. 3” on the toe. The only markings on the body say “Made in USA”.
Is it a knock-off?
I appreciate the time and expertise you’ve put into your dating program. It’s great. Thank you.
You’re most welcome Paul!
What is the best way to remove rust from an old plane 🤔
It depends on how much rust and where the rust is.
Fabulous resource. Your effort is much appreciated.
Thanks, Mark!