Stanley No. 41 Straight Edge & Pocket Level
Collection of Stanley No. 41 Straight Edge & Pocket Levels (2)
Type 1 (1859 to 1871) Top plate is bare
Type 2 (1872 to 1885 ) Vine or leaf design
Type 3 (1890 to 1895) Stanley & Pat. Feb 18,90 Catalog was slow to show actual level design. Rare early patent date.
Type 4 (1896 to 1913) Stanley & Pat. June 24, 96 Assumed to be made in this style untill patent expired
Type 5 (1914 to 1928) Stanley & New Britain,Conn, U.S.A. mark. Assumed to be made in this style untill the Y logo period began
Type 6 (1923 to 1945, 1948) Stanley & Made in USA mark
Features(1): Attaches to a squarePeriod of Manufacture(1): 1859 thru 1948Patents(1): 2/18/1890 #421,786 Justus Traut of New Britain, CT., assignor to Stanley Rule &Level. "Sprit-Level" (Simplified vial mounting. Date stamped on brass cover plate).6/23/1896 #562,678 & #562,679 Justus Traut & Christan Bodmer of New Britain, CT. "Machine for Graduating Glasses or Tubes" and "Method of Marking Level Glasses or Analogous Articles". This patent covered Stanley's new method of graduating level vials and their specifically designed machinery for that purpose. This patent date is the most frequently reported level patent.Dimensions(1): 3 inch longMaterial(1): Cast iron base with stamped brass top plateFinish(1): Japanned baseAverage price as given by Walter(1998):(1) $15 to $45Notes(1): First appeared in the 1859 Stanley Catalog without a description other than material
Sources:1. Walter, John . "Antique & Collectable Stanley Tools, Guide to Identity and Value", 2nd Edition, 19962. Stanley No 4 Tool Collection of Gordon Muster . Very Fine Condition