Just received a Stanley #5 type 17 (1942-1945) any good?

[Rick de Roque]

My brother sent me a plane my dad had used and since my brother doesn't do woodworking he thought I might get some use out of it.

Looking at "Woodworking at Rex mill" I am pretty sure it is a type 17 war years 1942-1945 Stanley jack plane #5. Needs some cleaning up but looks like it will be a good user.

Can anyone tell me if this is one of the good years for Stanley?

*Reasons I think its a type 17 is as follows:
*Black japanning
*Black Plastic Depth Adjuster
*All Steel Handle Screws with out a brass Nut due to WWII Brass Shortage
*"STANLEY" is incised in a horizontal direction on the lateral adjustment lever.

No pics but can later if needed. correct me if I'm wrong on anything since I don't know anything regarding old planes.

Thanks,
Rick

[Fred Gross]

It sounds like a war-era plane to me. I think the war-era planes are good planes, they just didn't have the eye candy (rosewood handles/brass widgets/shiny lever cap). Most don't have the frog fine adjustment screw, which some see as a drawback if you are routinely adjusting the frog for rough and finish work. However, the castings are usually heavier than most other types which is a definite plus in my book. I have had a few war-era planes and got excellent results with them.