Stanley Plane Identification: How to Identify Antique Stanley Bailey Hand Plane Age and Type?
By Joshua T. Farnsworth
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 have acquired a STANLEY N0.1 PLANE. If I use your ident chart it’s a type 1 but I don’t believe it’s that old. How do I age a number 1 plane
Look under the lever cap; only the #1 had the banjo-shaped spring (the small piece of thin metal that makes the lever snap into place when locking in the cutter/ iron). Hope this helps.
Are you able to help me identify my plane. All i can workout it is a bailey no4 sweetheart
Would the same type identification process work for the corrugated versions?
Yes sir!
Hi guys and ladies I plead total ignorance since I work with steel in my private time. I found a handplane in one of my late Dad’s tool chests. that was unopenend for at least 20+ years. On the “Bottom”, front, it says “Made in USA Bailey” while on the cap it says Stanley. The plane lived on the coast for an unknown time and was rusty. I started to remove rust and old paint and discovered that there was… Read more »
I was about to add this question on my posting that i just put on here. I have the same plane and i too am wanting to know the date as well. Hope we both can get our planes dated.
I think I have the same plane. How do I see the repies to this question?
I’m replying now Joe!
I don’t know a lot about the history, but what I do know is that at some point, Stanley had bought the bailey company and their patents. They then incorporated bailey into their naming.
Correct Nick, Mr. Bailey came to work with Stanley, along with his patent for the Bailey handplane.
I just got a wooden either jointer or smoothing pane. I collect antique planes This one has *FS&W* stamped into the end but I have been unable to find anything about it or the company. Its pretty beat up but I am going to try and restore it. Have you ever heard of them?
Are you sure it doesn’t say PS&W?
I am an avid woodworker and tool collector.
I’m having a really hard time finding a Stanley no 5 pre wwII for under 50. It’s looking like people are willing to pay closer to $70 plus $20 shipping on ebay and that’s with them in need of refurbishment. Already cleaned up I’m seeing prices of over $100. Is that now the going rate for these even though there are a ton of them for sale?
Yikes, I hope not! Keep your eyes open, and you’ll find a deal. A friend recently picked up a nice No. 3 for $12 at a flea market. M-WTCA tool swaps are another good source for good deals. And old wooden jack planes work just as well, and are much less expensive.
I am trying to find the value for some of my deceased dad’s tools. He has a lot of Stanley tools, but he has 2 tools that look a lot like hand planes, but have 2 knobs instead of 1 and neither end is raised. Also, the opening at the bottom is 3-3.5″ wide. They are about 10″ long. I don’t see any manufacturer on the tools, but they do say “made in the USA” and each has a number.… Read more »
Try posting this question to our forum: https://woodandshop.com/forum/
I have a #4 type 10 bailey that i found out on the listing from this site. However, there is a W machined mark on the right front side with 2 notches on the hump half way up. Can any one tell me what kind of plane I’ve got. A old man gave it to me after i tore down a termite infested car port when i was 23. I am wanting to start using hand tools more and teach… Read more »
Try posting a photo with this question to our forum: https://woodandshop.com/forum/
“Please be aware: some antique Stanley planes that you buy will be harlequins, or conglomerates of parts from different years” Not quite so. Be warned: there follows a bit of an investigation. I picked up a couple of new/old planes today for $30CAD the pair – one Salmen’s #5, and one battered old Stanley rusted up enough that the blade adjuster wouldn’t turn. Was excited to find a corrugated base though, so first thing I did when I got home… Read more »
I have inherited a Stanley Bailey No 4 1/2 from my father number cast into base is US PAT -19-10 can you give any information.My Father was Apprentice in 1925
I have the same plane. Very nice. Not sure what information you want, but it’s worth rehabbing and using…don’t sell it!
Hi, I very recently got into hand plans when I picked up a No. 5 from someone I was buying old license plates from. I used this site to date it as a Type 15, and I’ve been on the hunt for more! Today I got seven more planes, and dated them all from here except one. It’s an early No. 3 – no patent dates, no raised ring at the knob, “No. 3” on the bed’s front – then… Read more »
I have 4 what look like old planes that was in my husband garage as I I’m having a sort out after sad a sad few months a friend said they my be worth a little as we have put a lot on skip ,the numbers on them Stanley Bailey number 4&5
and 1 R B 10 could you let me know how much they may be worth
Thank Shirley Garbett
Sorry, we aren’t an appraisal website. You can look on Ebay, and filter by “sold listings”.
I have a Stanley No 36 plane. Anyone know how to identify its Type?
You could try this: https://www.timetestedtools.net/2019/02/19/roger-k-smiths-stanley-transitional-type-study/
Transitional planes aren’t usually very valuable, so I haven’t had anyone ask for a type study before.
Thanks much. It’s the history of it, not the value I’m interested in.
Glad to be of help Mike!
Dear Sirs, I just recently purchased an Antique “Stanley Bailey No. 8 Jointer Plane Wood Tool Sweetheart Logo Iron #293632556215“ But, a previous owner rounded off the Tote or sometime referred to simply as the Handle. It’s a dull black painted surface as opposed to the usual high gloss black and also the blade has been substantially had the corners taken off the plane iron, l assume they were trying to avoid “tramlines” when planing. My question would be if… Read more »
You could try this knob and tote set: https://amzn.to/322pzrM
If it doesn’t work, then you can return it.
And I’m afraid I don’t understand your question about the iron. It sounds like the iron is cambered. You just need to learn to properly sharpen it. Chris Schwarz has a good DVD called “Super Tune your Handplane.”
Is it the same process for a block plane?
No, sorry. You’ll need to search for type studies for block planes.
Hi, I believe from your fantastic ID process that I have a 1931/32 Type 15 Stanley Bailey No. 4 plane. It has three triangular notches on the left side of the body (when looking from the toe) beside the frog, above the mouth. I’ve not seen these before and wonder what they are there for?
what is a Stanley c557?
I have an old wooden plane. Are they valuable? It’s around 18” long,and square.
LOL. It could be worth anywhere from $0 to $10,000! :)
I had a couple questions: I was wondering what occasions called for transitional lever caps and not with the basic Stanley jack planes, And when did Stanley start using other types of wood ( other than rosewood) for their totes & knobs? tx J.C
Hi! I have more than a couple handful of various sizes and types and I’m slowly rehabbing them. Are there better types than others? Is a flat bottom better than corrugated? Is the type 6 no 4-½ better than the no 10? I’d like to refurbish them, keep the best type of a particular size and sell the rest (assuming there’s a market for refurbished vintage Stanley Planes. If not, oh well, I’ll have a bunch refurbished vintage planes.) Thanks!
I personally feel like Type 13 was the height of the Stanley Bailey handplane quality and innovation. But a couple types before and after that are also really good.
Where does one get good quality replacement blades for these vintage planes?
Hi Alejandro,
You can get replacement irons and chipbreakers for Stanley Bailey handplanes here:
Source 1
Source 2
Source 3
Hey everyone, I have a Stanley, #4 with a Type-4 machined base. That is the broad, flat machined area with no sunken reliefs. I also have what appears to be a pre-lateral, 2” wide frog that fits, but offers little-to-no adjustment of the throat opening. That is, I can attach it to the plane, and the iron protrudes from the bottom, but cannot be moved because the frog is as far back as it can be. The frog has a… Read more »
Hi All, New subscriber here. Also new to Stanley planes – seems I’m late to the party. I wonder if I might ask a question and make a comment. Question – I’m only really interested in Type 4s, ATM, so the question refers to them. No guide seems to mention (or, more likely I’ve just missed it), the step at the rear of the plane, under the Tote. I have some planes which are smooth all the way through and… Read more »
I’m confused by this dating guide. I understand the Stanley #5 made from 1885-1888 is the gold standard but most of the Stanley #5 planes I’m seeing for sale out there are made far after that. They have patent dates behind the frog, have a blue body, etc. I even noticed on Home Depot that Stanley is still producing the #5 jack plane. This guide makes it seem like the No 5 Stanley plane was only made from 1885-1888. Any… Read more »
Hi Matthew, any #5 before World War 2 is of descent quality. I personally like those made in the early 1900’s the best. But a #5 was traditionally made for rough removal, so it doesn’t need to be a highly tuned plane. Just sharp, with a cambered iron. You can read more about it here: https://woodandshop.com/woodworking-hand-tool-buying-guide-handplanes/
Greetings! I have a #2 missing a blade, chip breaker and lever cap. I follow thru the checklist: no pat’d dates behind the frog, no raised ring at knob mount, it says no.2 on front casting by knob….it says “Stanley” on lever adjustment BUT there are NO pat’d #’s on lever adjustment (and I’m given a choice to pick 1-3 pat’d #’s but not 0). The body length is 7.5″. I’m trying to get an idea to age…and to get… Read more »
Hi Greg, unfortunately the type study is fully accurate for No. 4 planes, and fairly accurate for others. But may not be so for a No. 2, which is a more rare plane. I don’t recall seeing a type study specifically for a No. 2. But if you get close you can search on Ebay or other places to find similar aged No. 2 planes to get an idea. Also, check Jim Bode Tools. He has a lot of images… Read more »
Thank you very much!!
You’re most welcome Greg!
Hey guys i was at an antique store the other day a found a little Stanley plane that has stanley sweetheart emblem on it how do I get some one to tell me about it I cant find it on any site
It’s just an emblem that Stanley put on some of their planes. You can learn more about Stanley handplanes here: https://woodandshop.com/woodworking-hand-tool-buying-guide-handplanes/
Joshua, I just want to say a heartfelt “Thank you!” for this wonderful resource. I truly appreciate all the time and effort that went into creating it, and for making it available for everyone….for free.
You are most welcome Russell! Have you checked out my handplane guide? https://woodandshop.com/woodworking-hand-tool-buying-guide-handplanes/
Hello. I was up getting some chests in 2015 which belonged to my great grandfather – Ole Sjursen Helland, my grandfather, Olav Olsen Stensund, and his brother, Henrik Olsen who immigrated in 1906 to Chile to become the world’s fist captain on a commercial cruise line from Chile to the Panama Chanel ND THE US, in Solund in Norway (a community consisting of more than 1600 islands with among 830 inhabitants about 40 minutes with ferry out from Sognefjorden –… Read more »
Hi Geir, thanks for your question! I’ve been to Sognefjorden, and love it. I’ve traveled extensively in Norway. One of my favorite places on earth, and the home of some of my ancestors! Do you live there? Yes, Ebay would get you the most money for Stanley 55 combination planes. They are actually quite valuable. You can see pricing here on Ebay: https://ebay.us/99BUlv
I’d love to see photos.
Joshua
I found a Stanley number 55 with 4 boxes of planes and cutters any idea of age and value
Wow, what a find Fred!
How do I date my Stanley 55
Not too sure, but see if this helps.
I have a #4 Stanley smoother with “Made in USA” next to the tote on the bed. Can’t seem to find documentation on this one. Any ideas? Thanks
For those of you looking for a 12-20 tap and die set to service you Stanley planes, I just ordered a set from this supplier individually. The tap was $10.50, the die was $11.50, shipping was less than $5. Call their 800 number, follow the prompts, and Bill will help you. That is who I spoke with. He took my credit card over the phone, and said it would ship Monday and be here in NorCal by Friday. Wholesale Tool… Read more »
Hi guys, I have recently acquired a Bailey corrugated plane.
I cannot identify the model. It’s dimensions do not seem to fit any of the size guides.
It has Bailey cast on the nose and is 17.25″ inches long and 3.25″ inches wide.
There is no number but it does have Pat D and some dates Mar 25-02, Aug 19-02, Apr 19-10
Any help in identifying this plane would be much appreciated.
I have a Stanley 41/2 plane with a brass frog and iron cap. No numbers no made in anywhere but it has an American iron not sweetheart.
I am restoring a Stanley 39 Dado plane. I have the spurs, but need the screws. I need the size(6 ?) and thread spec. I will probably have to go aftermarket to get these once I have the specs. Thanks
geowhiz1@gmail.com