Stanley No. 49 Nickel Plated, Type 2.

In 1898, Stanley changed the finish on 48s and 49s to Nickel plating. With the Nickel plated Type 2, Miller's Fancy handle is still evident.

The Nickel certainly brightened the tool up and probably gave it a new lease of life. All the young carpenters and joiners would have wanted one of these bright new shiny toys.


The plane number is now cast into the body in both the 48 and 49 just under and behind the knob.


Also, the name, Stanley is cast under the handle.


There have been a number of various cap screws found on 48s and 49s. I have 4 and there aren't two of them have the same screws. This one has Slotted Screws.

Stanley No. 48 Nickel Plated, Type 3.

This one is a type 3 from 1911 or later and shows a few changes.


The Rosewood knob stays present throughout all Type productions.


Here, the fence is swung out. Quite a handsome plane and very useful.


With Type 3, the fancy Miller's Vine pattern was changed to the "Fish Scale" pattern on the handle.


Also, a new set of Knickel Plated knurled Lever Cap Screws appeared. They would become the standard.

These planes are used to make 5/16" Tongue and Groove match joints on boards 3/4" to 1 1/4" thick, centering on 7/8". Here we have a Type 1.


The Stanley No. 48 was originally 10 1/2" long. In 1937 it became 8 3/4"
Early types were Black Jappaned. In 1898, the finish changed to Nickel Plating.
Also, earlier ones had Miller's "Fancy" handle and large brass headed screws to hold the cutters. The jappaned planes don't have the Stanley name on them.


This ingenious plane has a fence which swivels on a pinion. When it is locked in one position, it will cut a groove. When it is swivelled 180 degrees and locked in that position, it cuts a tongue. The pivot point on the fence is offset so that in one position it allows two blades to come in to use to cut the tongue whilst in the other position, only one blade is exposed, allowing the cutting of the groove.


This image shows the two blades exposed to cut the groove.

Stanley No. 49

Manufactured 1876 - 1942


Here is a Type 1 No. 49. It is 10" long. Supplied with two cutters to cut 3/16" tongue and grooves in 1/2" to 3/4" stock. No difference from the 48 except for length and the slightly smaller dimensions to take the 3/16" cutter. You can see also, that the blade holding screws are different from the 48. These ones are Nickel Plated knurled steel.


Here you can see the Patent Date of July 6 1875. This Patent Date is on all the Jappaned 48s and 49s.

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