I picked up this Stanley low-angle block plane at an estate sale on Thu. Apparently there were some joiner planes there before I arrived but they were long gone. People we grabbing the overpriced plastic handled Stanley planes. I saw this little jewel with a $10 price tag and immediately grabbed it. It will be a user for me but I'd like to know it's history and how original it might or might not be. I posted it on another garage related website and someone mentioned the "excelsior" body with the hump towards the rear of the plane and a patent date of 1897 on the lever cap as clues to this definitely being "worth $10". It's clearly been cleaned up as I can see pitting from rust corrosion on the adjustment lever has been cleaned up. It has an adjustable mouth. The plane bottom measure 7" in length and 1-7/8" wide. I suspect the plane body and lever cap have been repainted or re-japanned (is that a word?) just because they both look so good. The plane blade is old but how old I don't know. From looking at Patrick's Blood & Gore site on Stanley planes I'm thinking this might be a #15 block plane. I have read that the excelsior body was last used by Stanley in 1898. So I'm guessing this could be older than I thought. I'm curious as to what model it is, when it was made and if the parts are original. Maybe a #15? Thoughts on any of this would be appreciated. If I can provide additional pics I'll be glad to do that.
Thanks!
Mike
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