Stanley #011 level confusion?

[lzenglish]

I found this a few weeks ago, and have searched for info. on it, for way too long, so I can use some help. It is 28-1/4" long, with brass end caps. 3-1/8" wide, and 1-5/16" thick. The spirit vial is non adjustable, and has the name "Sprinfield L & T Co. on it. The brass top plate says Stanley Rule and level Co., and has a pat. date of June 23, 1896. I'm not sure what it is made out of, but looks and feels like Mahogany, or Oak. Out of all my searches, the closest I can find to a look-a-like is the #96, but it is a 30 inch level, as I recall. Does anyone recognize this #011, and or have any info. on it such as date of production, etc. "Very Mysterious"!

Thanks,

Wayne

[kxxr]

I tried all the google tricks I know and found nothing. Could be a made from parts unit?

[rusty]

>made from parts

No, I have seen that level before also, the guard ring under the vial is slightly different than the other design.

The only thing I can add is, the adjustable bubble that replaced the glued in bubble is a 1912 patent (1050610), so it's somewhere in that date range....

[jimwrench]

 Walters lists a 011 level for Stanley 24 to 30 inchs long. Rosewood with brass tips ,lips, and top plate. No picture. 1898 to 1917

[scottg]

I don't think that is the original vial. I think it is a line level that was put in later.
 I have a level with one in too.
  It was a popular repair.  You could get a line level at the corner hardware for 4 bits, but actual replacement vials had to be sent away for. 
 Rosewood level though? How cool! 
 yours Scott

[lzenglish]

Thanks for the comments. I don't think it is a replacement line vial Scott, as the plaster bed for it looks original, and the vial fits like a glove to the top plate. Never the less, I have searched for many hours, and looked at all the Stanley Catalogs on the Rose site, many, many, past Tool Autions, Patent drawings on google, and datamp etc, and do not see a match for this "#011" level, which is my question here. The features I'm using to try and do a visual are the top cover plate, with 8 screw holes, as opposed to the typical 4 that I'm seeing on other close looking Stanley levels of the same time frame, and the 2 rounded half moon ends on the top cover plate, as opposed to being squared off, and the number 011 stamped in the body. All of this, along with the brass end caps, and dimensions of it. I was hoping someone had a recent copy of "John Walters, Antique and Collectable Stanley Tools" book, as It may show it. I'm begining to think that this particular model number was a hybrid, or had a very short production span if any at all.

Wayne

[scottg]

 
 The last Walter is the last Walter. John has not made any kind of update and probably never will. His shop (and all his notes manuscripts, etc.) was in downtown Marietta Ohio and it got flooded bad,
not once, but twice.     He lost nearly everything and never made much off the venture in the first place, he won't start over from scratch. He told me.

 The reason you aren't finding very many 011's on the web, Jim already said.
  Its a --rosewood-- level. That makes in one in 5,000 as far as production.
 Cherry is the most common of all old level woods, 90% probably .
 Then mahogany 9% more or less
 and finally rosewood.

Its surely a replacement vial Wayne. Look at the side view, showing the uh, view!
The little brass port cover on the side? This is a view, and it's supposed to be open to the vial,  not looking at the side of plaster/nickelled hex line level cover.

  Besides I not only have a Stratton Bros level with one of the line levels in, but I have a loose line level and all are totally exactly the same. 
 Even if your level wasn't originally adjustable (but I bet it was, top of the line usually were),
it was at least supposed to have a cast iron vial carrier, with the vial bedded to it in plaster, of course. 
All the levels from this time had them, whatever brand. 
 
   yours Scott

[lzenglish]

Thanks for the additional information, and explanation Scott.

Wayne

[oldtoolguy]

Scott is correct on all counts.  I have a nice Stanley 011 in my collection.

Mel

[lzenglish]

Scott is correct on all counts.  I have a nice Stanley 011 in my collection.

Mel

I agree he is correct Mel. Can you post a picture of your #011, so I can see what I need to do to bring mine back to original specs.?

Thanks,

Wayne

[oldtoolguy]

Here are some pics of my Stanley 011 level. 

Mel 

[jimwrench]

  Beautiful level.

[lzenglish]

Here are some pics of my Stanley 011 level. 

Mel

Very Nice! Almost identical to mine except for the side plates. And of course yours has the correct spirit vial which I need to find for mine. Out of curiosity, what is the overall lenght of yours?

Thanks,

Wayne

[oldtoolguy]

Thanks, mine is the 30" size.

Mel