1906 Bailey No.4 Adjustable Plane Tool-By Stanley Rule & Level, USA

THE MAN WHO MADE STANLEY TOOL WHO THEY ARE AND YOU MIGHT HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HIM!

Leonard Bailey (May 8, 1825 in Hollis, New Hampshire – February 5, 1905 in New York City) was a toolmake, inventor and cabinet maker from Massachusetts, United States, who in the mid-to-late nineteenth century patented several features of woodworking equipment.
Bailey started making adjustable metal bench planes from 1858-1867.
So, you have to ask yourself...why does Stanley Tool claim they INVENTED the hand held, adjustable plane #4?
Here is what I gather happen......
Leonard Bailey patented and made his Type 1 Planes in Boston, MA from 1867-1869.
Then in 1869 Stanley Rule & Level of New Britain, CT bought 7 patents from Leonard Bailey of his
adjustable hand planes. From 1872-1873 Stanley put out planes (Type 2) with both Bailey and Stanley name on them. Then, in 1874 Stanley came out with Type 4 and dropped Bailey completely, and was selling millions of planes. What ever trademark name vs profit deal Bailey & Stanley had came to a head in 1875 and the two parties relationship snapped in half. Leonard Bailey and Stanley fought each other in court over patent rights in which Stanley won the patent rights to the invention of the plane and got the rights to use the Bailey name!!! Ouch!! Bailey went to work for Selden Bailey’s (no relation) Bailey Tool Company and in 1878 moved from Hartford, Connecticut to Woonsocket, Rhode Island to oversee the manufacture of their Defiance and Leonard’s own Victor line of planes. Both of these lines struggled and Stanley ended up buying both in 1880 and 1884 respectively, but then discontinued them by 1888. Ouch Again!!! Leonard Bailey took the high road and retired from plane making but continued his copying press company, (Bailey Manufacturing Company), moving his factory to Wethersfield, Connecticut which is 8 miles from? You guessed it.....Leonard's old buddies at STANLEY. Leonard Bailey also opened his sales office in New York City probably to be closer to his lawyers...hmm. Bailey then did a few pesky projects here and there but unfortunately passed away February 5, 1905. In an apparent nod to his contribution to their overwhelming success, or perhaps for branding reasons, Stanley buried the hatchet and 1 year later in 1906 started casting the Bailey name into the beds of their Type 9 plane bodies. Inventor Leonard Bailey died not knowing that Stanley silently paid him homage and gave him credit.

This is the 1906 No. 4 Bailey Plane made by Stanley Rule & Level with Blade, Blade Clamp, Iron Blade, and Back Iron-Antique-Good Condition-Operational
Amazing craftsmanship....no plastic, made to last...has rustic patina,,,nothing locked up...all parts are the original and fit correctly. Rosewood, Iron, and Brass.
There is two burn lumps from welding on body. Do not know if this was spare parts from Stanley when built (they were known to do) or someone did in its 115 years of travel (I bought in 2021). But the weld was done solid and no cracks. Adds a little mystery and personality I think.
Rare Find with all these parts.

Type 9 1906-1907-ID Description:
All of the features same as previous types (1-8) , except:
"B" casting marks eliminated.
No patent date is found on the lateral lever.
"BAILEY" now cast into to toe, as homage to the inventor of the modern plane. The number designation is now cast just behind the knob.
Frog receiver undergoes a major redesign. A smaller bearing surface is now cast into the bed, toward the tote. Two circular bosses, to receive the screws are located just ahead of this bearing surface, toward the mouth. A rib runs from the mouth to bearing surface, over which the frog rests. This is to align the frog laterally, to keep it square to the sides of the plane, and, thus, make the iron parallel to the mouth. The frog has a slot at its bottom to fit and slide over the rib cast in the bed.
The Patent dates "Mar.-25-02" "Aug.-19-02" are cast into the bed, immediately behind the frog.
The brass nuts used to secure the knob and tote to the rods undergo a change. They now have a waist to them verses the earlier cylindrical shape.
No Stanley markings at all....just Bailey.

Weighs 3 lbs 8 oz
9" X 2.25" X 5.25"
mat in photo not included in

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