Vintage Stanley No. 5 order Bench Plane Type 12**1919-1924**Bailey

This is a nice older model smooth bottom No. 5 plane offered by Stanley from 1919-1924. It has a late trademark Stanley iron. This usually happens when the original has been used up and has to be replaced at a much later date. This is the plane with 3 patent dates in back of the frog.
The front knob is the first of the "high" knob types. And for the first time the adjuster knob is now the larger 1 1/4 inch version that has become standard.

There are no cracks, breaks or chips in the metal, mouth is good also.

This has, in my opinion, the best frog to bed system next to a Bedrock. The guide portion on the front of the frog is machined rather than just a cast piece which allows the fore and aft movement to be more precise.

The plane has been disassembled and all the frog and bed mating surfaces cleaned and any burrs removed.

The wood is good in the front rosewood knob and also the aluminum tote, noting a few dings. Obviously the tote is not original but an after market version that Stanley sold.

The edge is fairly sharp, and full length, although there are several small nicks that will need removed. It has the original 25 degree angle with a reasonably flat back. It could use a little more work if you find yourself bored and needing something to do.

The japanning is probably about 95%, maybe a bit more. There is the usual staining on the metal, and the sides have a bunch of tiny dings. The bottom is nice and smooth.

All the adjustments work as they order should.

This is a good solid plane that should make a very good user!

There is one more caveat and that is that it will come disassembled so that the tote, knob, and lateral adjuster don't get broken.