Stanley No 18 Sliding Bevel Guide
This guide to the Stanley No 18 “Eureka” sliding bevel is not intended to be a fully researched type study at this time. Variations known to the author are presented here with basic date ranges and have been lettered to facilitate discussion and reference. Later variations with the 18TB or other number designations are not included at this time. This is still a work in progress and can change at any point. If you have a bevel that differs from any displayed here, please contact me. Thank you to Chris Widick for pushing me to do this guide and sharing his research.
A
1874~1888
Known as Sargent’s July 22, 1873 patent bevel, this was offered starting in the 1874 catalog. It was the first all metal handled bevel made by Stanley. It features stippled oval grips which have been japanned black. Both sides of the handle are identical in thickness and style, with no markings. Thre are two variations depending on the orientation of the patent info on the blade. Variation 1 is earlier, although the exact date of the change is unknown. [Full Image]
Variation 1: The patent info is stamped parallel to the length of the blade. (shown above)
Variation 2: The patent info is stamped perpendicular to the length of the blade.
B
~1888-1898
Same patent design as A, but with cosmetic differences. One side now sports “STANLEY” and the grip areas are nickel plated with the rest of the handle. Both sides of the handle remain the same thickness. There are two variations, likely due to the patent running out and the patent info being removed from the blade. This change would have happend about 1890. [Full Image]
Variation 1: The patent info is stamped perpendicular to the length of the blade. (shown above)
Variation 2: The blade is blank with no markings at all.
C
1898-1908
A new mechanical design change from A/B, this style can be seen in the 1898-1907 catalogs. Does not appear to be a patented design. Easily spotted by the large slotted screw on the rod side. No change in the handles cosmetic design, however the non-rod side of the handle is now thinner. No longer any markings on the blade. [Full Image]
D
1908-1910
The mechanical design changes again from C, with a new patent by Christian Bodmer dated July 14, 1908. All further bevels utilize this patent. Handle design remains unchanged with the notable exception of the top, which now features small “steps” as the curved top transitions to the sides. “PAT.7-14-08” is stamped parallel on the blade. [Full Image]
E
1910-1913
Identical to D except “STANLEY” on the handle is now cast in a notched rectangle. “PAT.7-14-08” is still stamped parallel on the blade. [Full Image]
F
1913-1920
The patent date “PAT’D 7-14-08” is now cast into the handle on the opposite side from "STANLEY". The thumbscrew is stamped “STANLEY NEW BRITAIN. CONN. U.S.A.” in two lines. Blades are no longer marked from here on. [Full Image]
G
1920-1925
Same as F, except now reads “U.S. PAT. 7-14-08” on the handle and “STANLEY MADE IN U.S.A.” in two lines on the thumbscrew. [Full Image]
H
1925
The patent date is no longer present anywhere on the bevel. It has been replaced by “No. 18 - 8 IN” (or 10 IN). The style of stippling has changed as well. (Photo courtesy of Charles Bush). [Full Image]
I
1925-1927
No longer a stamp on the thumbscrew. The handle now reads “No. 18 STANLEY 8 IN” (or 10 IN) and “MADE IN U.S.A” on opposite sides of the handle, both in notched rectangles. The 12”, which was introduced with J, uses the same size handle as the 10”, and this may have been the reason for no longer casting the size into the handle after this style. [Full Image]
J
1927-1945
Handle now just reads “No. 18 STANLEY” and “MADE IN U.S.A” on opposite sides of the handle, both in notched rectangles. No longer has the size cast into the handle. 12” size appears to have been introduced with this style. [Full Image]
K
1940-1945
Identical to J, but stippled grip is japanned black instead of nickel plated. Likely a wartime measure. [Full Image]
L
1945-1960
Stippled grips now take the form of a notched rectangle rather than having round ends. The one side now reads just “STANLEY” in the notched rectangle while “No. 18” has been moved to a separate small perpendicular box toward the bottom of the handle. [Full Image]