Stunning Stanley 85 1/2 Panel Gauge

This beautiful panel gauge is probably for either the Stanley collectors out there. Or is in ‘special present’ territory.

For the handtool woodworker in your life, this is simply an amazing gift. Not only is it an exceptionally beautiful tool, the panel gauge serves a very practical function in the workshop.

This would have been made by Stanley in the US between the late 1800s and the early 1920s. It carries the patent date Aug 5, 1873. It was also name-stamped by its original owner. Expensive, specialty premium wood-and-brass layout like the No. 85 1/2 - which required high-grade rosewood and tedious manual fitting - became less economical to mass-produce and was officially dropped from their 1923 catalogue.

Considering it’s more than 100 years old, it’s in outstanding condition. These are becoming increasingly rare. Many of the ones that are out there are missing parts. The most common one is what’s known as the keeper, the brass part in the fence that tightens against the beam with the thumbscrew. Happily, this example is complete.

Thanks for taking the time to have a look.