Reply by RS Woodworks

Hi David, nice old plane you have there. Unfortunately, it’s most certainly NOT a type 1, and in fact it may have parts from a type 3 or later plane, like the blade. Type 1’s and 2’s had a solid depth adjuster. And the arched “Stanley Rule” on the blade did not appear until type 3’s and later. The frog does seem to be a type 1 or 2 as you mention it has the number 4 cast into the underside. Perhaps if you showed some more pictures of the plane body around the front knob, and around the frog and tote area with the frog removed, we can help you identify the plane a bit better. But from what I see, you MAY have a plane put together with parts from various types here. Of course that DOES NOT necessarily mean that the plane is not all original. So potential buyers, please do not misinterpret what I’m saying here. Stanley, like many other tool companies of the era, often used up parts from one type or production run in conjunction with newer parts. For this reason, the “type studies” that are out there are not comprehensive and should be used as guidlines only! So it’s not always as easy as saying, this plane has such and such feature, so it must be a type 1 or type 2, or whatever.
What you do have is no doubt a very early Stanley plane, very collectable, and with a new tote, very useable.

Ryan

-- I restore the finest vintage tools! If you need a nice plane, saw, marking tool or brace, please let me know!