Stanley Try Squares

Sources:1. Walter, John . "Antique & Collectable Stanley Tools, Guide to Identity and Value", 2nd Edition, 19962. The Stanley Catalog Collection, 1855 to 1898, The Astragal Press, Mendham, New Jersey

Stanley No. 2 Try Squares

Catalog Picture of Type 1 (1859 to 1874 )

Catalog Picture of Type 3a (1877 to 1887)

Features: Star in handle until 1874Manufactured: 1859 to 1887Sizes: 3,4 1/2,6,7 1/2, 10, 12, 15, 18 inchesConstruction: Rosewood,Steel BladeFinish: lacquered Designated No. 20 in 1888

Catalog Picture of Type 2 (1875 to 1876 )

Stanley No. 2 Patent Improved Try Square

Type 1a (1874 to 18??)

Manufactuered: 1874 to 1887Patent: Justus Traut's 5/26/1874 (handle depressions, construction)Sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12Construction: Cast Iron, Steel bladeFinish: JapannedAverage price given by Walter: $15 to $452 inch: $150 to $30012 inch: $100 to $200Type 1: $25 to $75Notes: Type 1 has lead fill around the rivets securing the blade. Observed with and without patenet date. patent is stamped in the lead fill at rivets. designated no. 12 in 1888. this model is considered Type 1 of the No. 12 Try Square.

Type 1b (18?? to 1887)

Note the Stanley logo and nickel plated handle as well as Type 1 rivets with lead infill and patent date in same.This style of handle does not appear in any of the Stanley catalogs but could be assumed to represent later "Type I" squares.

Stanley No. 10 Inlaid Try Square

Manufactured: 1888 to 1935Patents: Traut's 3/16/1897 ( "Hand-y" feature)Sizes: 3,4,6,8,9,10,12 inchConstruction: Cast iron frame, lacquered rosewood infill, steel bladeNotes: Originally No. 1 redesignated No 10 in 1888. Design change in 1898 to a heavier cast frame and reinforced blade, also the blae sizes 3, 9, and 12 were dropped. Available with metric graduation in 1909

Catalog Picture of Type 1

Catalog Picture of Type 2

Stanley No. 12 Improved Try Square

Manufactured : 1888 to 1984Patent: Justus Traut's 5/26/1874 ( handle depressions, construction)Sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 inchConstruction: Cast iron, steel bladeFinish: japanned or nickel platingNotes: Originally the No. 2; designed no 12 in 1888. The No. 2 can be considered the type 1 of the No. 12. Walter notes that some early models have observed with nickel finish as shown in the middle square to the left. Design changed in 1898 to Stanley logo cast into frame, nickel plated as shown in the far left square. Offered with metric graduations in 1902. the 2-inch blade size was dropped in 1939. Handles have crosshatch pattern in the 1940's. last production types are more commonly found with metric graduations. these have the Stanley's notched trademark.

Type 1b Note the Stanley logo and nickel plated handle as well as Type 1 rivets with lead infill and patent date in same.This style of handle does not appear in any of the Stanley catalogs but could be assumed to represent later "Type 1" squares.

The Type 2 squares have the typical "T","O","V","X","Y","AA", or "BB" trademark which can be used to date the square as follows:

• Type 2 (1898 to 1906) O Trademark
• Type 2 (1907 to 1909) T Trademark ("Stanley Rule & Level Co. New Britain Conn. U.S.A." in the form of a T)
• Type 2 (1910 to 1929) V Trademark ("Stanley New Britain Conn. U.S.A." in the form of a V)
• Type 2 (1920) X Trademark (Notched rectangle containing "Stanley" with Sweetheart (SW) mark intersecting on bottom third of rectangle. "New Britain, Conn, U.S.A." below SW mark.)
• Type 2 (1921 to 1922) Y Trademark (Notched rectangle containing "Stanley" with Sweetheart mark intersecting on bottom third of rectangle. "Made in U.S.A." below SW mark.)
• Type 2 (1923 to 1935 ) AA Trademark (Notched rectangle containing "Stanley" with Sweetheart mark intersecting on bottom edge of rectangle. "Made in U.S.A." below SW mark.)
• Type 2 (1936 to 1984) BB Trademark (Notched rectangle containing "Stanley" "Made in U.S.A." below trademark.)

Stanley No. 14 Adjustable Try Square

Manufactured: 1884 to 1935Patent: Justus Traut's 10/24/1882 (slotted blade) - Bodmer's 11/18/1919 (knurled thumbscrews)Sizes: 4 ,7, 6 inch blade lengthsConstruction: Cast Iron, steel bladeFinish: Japanned; nickel plated after 1909Note: Available in metric in 1902 and later

No. 14 Type 1

No. 14 Type 2

Stanley No. 20 Try Square

Stanley No. 20 Try Square Type I 3 inch with hand stamped numbers

Manufactured: 1888 to 1984Patents: Traut's 12/29/1896 ("Hand-y" feature for squares), Traut's 3/16/1897 ( "Hand-y" feature and "quatrefoil" construction )Sizes: 3,4 1/2, 6, 7 1/2, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18 inchConstruction: Rosewood frame, steel blade, brass trimFinish: LacqueredNotes: Originally No. 2, designed No. 20 in 1888. Offered with metric graduation in 1902. The larger sizes of this model have a "quatrefoil" decoration to anchor the four rivets. The 15 and 18 inch sizes have a rest on the handle.

Type 1 1888 to 1895 Hand Stmped Numbers Same as Stanley #2 Plated Try Square Type 3

Type 2a 1896 to 1906 O Trademark "Stanley" in Block Letters with 12-29-96 Patent date

Type 2b 1896 to 1906 "Stanley" in Block Letters with 12-29-96 Patent date in small font

Type 3 1907 to 1909 T Trademark "Stanley Rule & Level Co. New Britain Conn. U.S.A." in the form of a T

Type 4 1910 to 1920 V Trademark "Stanley New Britain Conn. U.S.A." in the form of a V

Type 5a 1920 X Trademark Notched rectangle containing "Stanley" with Sweetheart mark intersecting on bottom of rectangle. "New Britain, Conn, U.S.A." below SW mark.

Type 5b 1921 to 1922 Y Trademark Notched rectangle containing "Stanley" with Sweetheart mark intersecting on bottom of rectangle. "Made in U.S.A." below SW mark.

Type 5c 1923 to 1935 AA Trademark Notched rectangle containing "Stanley" with Sweetheart mark intersecting on bottom of rectangle. "Made in U.S.A." below SW mark.

Type 6 1936 to 1984 BB Trademark Notched rectangle containing "Stanley" "Made in U.S.A." below trademark.