This level has me stumped

[coolford]

I looked in the large Stanley book and it shows several levels that attach to squares.  None of them match this level.  This level is Japanned all over and has no brass or nickel.  It also has a patent date which appears to be June 23 1998, but no such patent shows in DATAMP.  So I tried June 23 1996 and a patent came up that describes the marking of the tubes.  The patent date is clearly marked on the level although the picture does not show it.

[lptools]

Hello, Coolford. Do you mean June 23 1896?  The Stanley 40, 41, and 41-1/2 Pocket Levels attach to a square, and all 3 are listed as japanned. Regards, Lou

[coolford]

Lou---You are correct, but the number 40 although it has a steel top plate does not match in design, nor does it have a pat. date.  No. 401/2 has a nickel finish, 41 has sheet brass top plate, 41 1/2 has a thick cast brass top plate and 42 is all brass.  This level does not match any of them???  The June 23, 1896 date appears correct and it is by traut relating to a method of marking the tubes.

[wvtools]

I think Walter has an error about the finish on this one.  I believe it is a No. 40 1/2. and it had a japanned finish, not a nickel finish.  I have had several of those, and they all looked like yours.  The cast iron top plate is what distinguishes it from the other models.

[coolford]

I will so mark it on my card, I hope you are right, bought it at an auction Saturday for $5.00.  Auction was mostly newer tools, but when an old tool came up few were interested.

[Northwoods]

I will so mark it on my card, I hope you are right, bought it at an auction Saturday for $5.00.  Auction was mostly newer tools, but when an old tool came up few were interested.

What fools these mortals be!

[wvtools]

I looked in my Stanley catalog reprint book, and it shows the 1874 catalog listing the No. 40 as cast iron with cast iron top plate and the 40 1/2 with the Extra Finish (probably the nickel finish Walter refers to).  I am thinking now that maybe Stanley changes the design of the No. 40 from cast iron top plate to steel top plate at some point.  Walter lists the No. 40 made from 1859 to 1935, and the 40 1/2 made in 1874.  There is an error in Walter somewhere with these, and now I am thinking it may be from not listing a Type 1 and Type 2 of the No. 40.