Stanley No. 1 Smooth Plane

Without doubt the most famous of all Stanley planes was the Stanley No. 1 Smooth Plane. Never had a lateral adjuster, never had any number markings. Some models have a B or S cast into the bed, others have no markings whatsoever. Early types have a beaded rosewood front knob and a longer handle spur. Later types have a slightly shorter handle spur and a lever cap embossed with the Stanley name.

Stanley used many casting marks on their planes to identify the sub-contracting foundries. S-Castings were by Smith and were used between 1893 and 1899. They were replaced by B-Castings between 1899 - 1902.

Stanley produced the No. 1 plane from 1867 through 1943 when they stopped production. It typically measures 5 3/4" long with a 1 1/4" wide cutter.

Stanley No. 1 Smooth Plane
Courtesy Hans Brunner