Is it a Record or a Stanley or a what?

[MJP]

During yesterday's rust hunt I found what appears to be a Record/Stanley No 5 plane.

But it carries no identification at all, the only markings being "Made in England" cast into the base. The toe does look as if a rectangle in the die has been ground away to nothing - the pic has failed to show it, it's just discernable to the naked eye at the critical angle.

In the pics, the unidentified plane is at left, a Stanley Bailey No 5 at right.

Any idea regarding the origin of this plane? Did Stanley or Record ever make unmarked planes?

Martin.

 

[AndyT]

There used to be lots of different names put on generic iron planes - often for retailers - or as 'second line' brands. From looking at old catalogues, I guess that their appeal was to the casual user who cared more about saving a shilling than getting a Record or a Stanley.

I think that Record and Stanley had their own casting facilities, but also put work out to a handful of specialist casting subcontractors. Those companies would have made the bodies for the other brands and brand-free offerings. Maybe they used the same patterns when they did, maybe they didn't - but there's a good chance your no-name plane will work perfectly well.

 

[MJP]

OK thanks Andy - so this could effectively be a Record or Stanley in disguise. It certainly looks the business and I'm sure it'll be fine once it's cleaned up and fettled. I guess some of these unbranded planes might originally have had a water transfer brand label on them, or somesuch. Interesting.

Martin.