DID YOU KNOW…
The descriptive terminology used by planemaker’s and collectors can be somewhat confusing to the beginner. For example there was never any real standardization of the various parts of a plane as such, but the names tended to follow the same general pattern.
Stanley No. 4-1/2 H Smooth Plane (Heavy)
| Manufactured: | 1902 to 1924 |
| Length: | 10 inches |
| Blade Width: | 2-3/8 inches |
| Construction: | Cast iron, stained beech or rosewood handle & knob |
| Finish: | Japanned |
| Features: | Extra wide & heavy casting |
| Uses: | General purpose bench plane |
| Average Dealer Price: | $1000 to $2000 |
| Average eBay Price: | $900 to $1750 |
| Other Notes: | The letter H is cast on the body casting after the number. Never shown in any Stanley Tool Co. catalog, and most examples have turned up in Great Britain – presumably to compete with the heavier Spiers and Norris cast planes. |


| Updated: | 25th July, 2006 |
Stanley No. 4-1/2 H Smooth (Heavy) Planes on eBay right now…
| Sources: | While many of the dealers prices for Stanley planes are largely set by John Walters’ book “Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools” it appears that eBay, while acknowledging the Walters guide somewhat, tends to march to it’s own beat and sets its own prices. For that reason – and the fact that eBay’s reach and customer base is huge – I’ve decided to include a separate eBay average price here. Other sources include: “The Antique Tool Collector’s Guide To Value” by Ronald S. Barlow, “Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools” by John Walter, “The Stanley Plane” by Alvin Sellens, “Patrick’s Blood & Gore” by Patrick Leach, various auctions and sales of collectable tools and my own compilations of prices realized, observations and notes over the past 20+ years. |








