These 6-inch bar clamps are similar,  but not the same.  The top clamp is a Brink and Cotton No. 30.  The middle is a Stanley Handyman No. H157.  The bottom one is another Stanley H157, without the Handyman stamp. The Handyman tools are often identified by the red and blue painted surfaces. The Handyman series also tends to be lower quality, homeowner oriented tools. They work, but there are better options.  On the other hand, they are also considered collectible.  This was part of the toolbox clean out buy last weekend.

Nice find!

I found this little guy a few weeks ago at an estate sale. I sent the pictures to my oldest friend, a retired carpenter. He told me that his was one of the first tools he bought as an apprentice.
-Don

Yes sir!  For two bucks I'd say the price was right.

Jim C.   

Quote from: Jim C. on December 18, 2025, 06:43:14 AMHey Yadda,

Thanks for posting in the thread.  Without going into too much detail, the Stanley "Cordovan era" planes were probably not up to the standards hand plane users were accustomed to from years past.  I'm pretty sure you already knew that, but if you're at an estate/garage sale and a plane is sitting there waiting to be purchased, what the heck!  It's no fun leaving empty handed provided the price is right.  You could clean your new plane up, sharpen the iron and probably get some acceptable results with it, as long as you're using the plane in the proper scenario. Once again, thanks for posting and staying with the thread all these years. Now that I'm here, I guess you motivated me to possibly feature another plane.  I've been very busy out in the shop, but I'll try to get something posted sooner than later.   

Jim C.

The price was right.  $2.

Here's one of my latest projects.  It's a bistro table my wife designed. There was a lot of work to be done with various hand planes and spoke shaves.

Jim C.

Hey Yadda,

Thanks for posting in the thread.  Without going into too much detail, the Stanley "Cordovan era" planes were probably not up to the standards hand plane users were accustomed to from years past.  I'm pretty sure you already knew that, but if you're at an estate/garage sale and a plane is sitting there waiting to be purchased, what the heck!  It's no fun leaving empty handed provided the price is right.  You could clean your new plane up, sharpen the iron and probably get some acceptable results with it, as long as you're using the plane in the proper scenario. Once again, thanks for posting and staying with the thread all these years. Now that I'm here, I guess you motivated me to possibly feature another plane.  I've been very busy out in the shop, but I'll try to get something posted sooner than later.   

Jim C.

Here is mine marked only "Made in England".
-Don

welcome to the forums.  pictures always welcome.   Snowy Ohio here...

Thank you.   Had a problem before visit to kids and it's all working when i get back!  Hope you have a safe and merry Christmas and Happy New Year.