Patent Dates On Woodworking Tools – Unlocking The History Of Your

ByJim Boslice Woodworking Tool

What it means: A patent date on a woodworking tool marks when the patent for a specific feature was granted by the government. It is not the date the tool was manufactured.

Why it matters: This date tells you the earliest possible year your tool could have been made, helping you identify its age, model type, and historical significance in the woodworking world.

Ever picked up a dusty old hand plane at a flea market or inherited a toolbox from your grandfather? You run your hand over the cool steel and smooth wood, feeling the history in it. Then you spot it—a series of faint numbers stamped right into the metal: “PAT. APR. 19, 10”.

What does that even mean? Is that when the tool was made? Is it a model number? For many of us, these markings are a complete mystery, a secret language from a bygone era of craftsmanship.

But what if you could crack that code? Understanding the meaning behind patent dates on woodworking tools is like finding a treasure map to your tool’s past. It unlocks a deeper appreciation for the tools you use every day, transforming them from simple implements into artifacts with a story.

Stick with me. In this guide, we’re going to demystify those cryptic numbers. You’ll learn how to read them, where to look for more information, and how to use this knowledge to become a more informed woodworker and tool collector.

What Are Patent Dates on Woodworking Tools (And What They Aren’t)

First things first, let’s clear up the biggest misconception right away. That date you see stamped on your Stanley No. 4 plane or Disston handsaw is almost never the day the tool rolled off the assembly line.

A patent date is the official date that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted a patent for a specific invention or design feature on that tool. Think of it as a birth certificate for an idea, not the tool itself.

The “PAT. PEND.” Mark: A Sign of Things to Come

Sometimes you won’t see a date at all, but rather the words “PAT. PEND.” or “PAT. APPLIED FOR.” This simply means the manufacturer had submitted a patent application for a new feature, but it hadn’t been officially granted yet.

This mark still gives you a clue, telling you the tool was made during that transitional period while the company was waiting for government approval on their latest innovation.

Patent Date vs. Manufacturing Date: A Crucial Distinction

This is the most important takeaway. A patent date only tells you the absolute earliest a tool could have been made. A tool with a patent date of April 19, 1910, could not have been manufactured on April 18, 1910.

However, it could have been made in 1911, 1925, or even 1935. Manufacturers often kept using parts with the same patent marking for many years after the patent was granted. The patent protected their invention, so they proudly displayed it on the tool for the life of the patent, which was typically 17 years back then.

Why Manufacturers Included These Dates

So why bother stamping these dates on there? It was a combination of pride and protection. Stamping the patent date on the tool was a clear warning to competitors: “This clever frog adjustment mechanism is ours. Don’t even think about copying it.”

It was a legal flex, showing that their design was innovative and legally protected from infringement.

The Benefits of Understanding Patent Dates on Woodworking Tools

Okay, so it’s a neat bit of trivia. But why should a practical woodworker care about these old dates? Learning to interpret them offers some real-world advantages in the workshop and when you’re out hunting for vintage iron.

Here are some of the key benefits of patent dates on woodworking tools:

  • Dating Your Tools More Accurately: While not a precise manufacturing date, a patent date gives you a solid starting point. By combining it with other clues—like the type of logo, the materials used, and the style of the tote and knob—you can narrow down the production era significantly.
  • Identifying Tool Variations and “Types”: Companies like Stanley are famous for their “Type Studies.” A new patent often marked the introduction of a new “type” with specific features. Knowing the patent dates helps you identify if you have a Type 11 or a Type 12 plane, which can be important to collectors and users seeking specific features.
  • Making Informed Buying and Selling Decisions: Are you looking at a pre-war gem or a later, less-desirable model? The patent dates can give you a quick clue about the tool’s vintage and potential quality. This knowledge protects you from overpaying for a common tool or under-selling a rare one.
  • Connecting with Your Craft’s History: Knowing that your plane features a design patented during the golden age of hand tools connects you to generations of woodworkers who used that very same technology. It’s a tangible link to the past.
  • Promoting Sustainable Practices: Researching and restoring vintage tools is an inherently sustainable and eco-friendly practice. By learning to identify and care for these old tools using a proper patent dates on woodworking tools care guide, you’re keeping high-quality steel out of the landfill and reducing the demand for newly manufactured goods.

How to Research Patent Dates on Woodworking Tools: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to become a tool detective? Here is a simple, step-by-step patent dates on woodworking tools guide to researching those markings. Grab a tool, a magnifying glass, and let’s get to work.

  1. Locate the Patent Number or Date on Your Tool: First, you need to find the marking. Look carefully on the main body (the “sole” or “cheek” of a plane), the blade, the frog assembly, or the adjustment lever. It might be faint from years of use, so use good lighting and maybe a bit of gentle cleaning with mineral spirits on a rag to reveal it.
  2. Use Online Patent Databases: The internet is your best friend here. The easiest place to start is Google Patents. Simply type the patent number or the date you found into the search bar. Google Patents has a massive, searchable database of US and international patents, often with scanned images of the original documents. The official USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) website also has a searchable database, though it can be a bit less user-friendly.
  3. Cross-Reference with Tool Collector Resources: This is a pro-level tip. Websites like DATAMP (Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents) are invaluable. This site is built by and for tool collectors. You can search by patent number, date, or even the inventor’s name. It often provides direct links to the patent and additional context about the tool it was used on.
  4. Analyze the Patent Drawings and Descriptions: Once you find the patent document, don’t just look at the date! The real gold is in the drawings and the text. The detailed illustrations will show you exactly which part of your tool the patent applies to. Reading the description can reveal the inventor’s intent and the problem they were trying to solve with their new design.

Common Problems with Patent Dates on Woodworking Tools (And How to Solve Them)

Your detective work won’t always be straightforward. You’re bound to run into some roadblocks. Here are some of the most common problems with patent dates on woodworking tools and how to tackle them.

Faint or Illegible Markings

Years of rust, grime, and wear can make patent dates nearly impossible to read. What can you do?

Solution: Start with the gentlest method first. Use a soft brass brush and some mineral spirits or WD-40 to clean the area. Avoid harsh abrasives like sandpaper or steel wire wheels, as they can erase what’s left of the marking permanently. Sometimes, rubbing a piece of chalk over the area and wiping away the excess can make the stamped numbers stand out.

Multiple Patent Dates on a Single Tool

You might find two, three, or even more patent dates on one tool. This is common on complex tools like combination planes or patented miter boxes.

Solution: Don’t panic! This is actually great news—it gives you more clues. The latest date on the tool is the most important one for dating. Remember, the tool couldn’t have been made before its most recent patented feature was approved. The collection of dates tells the story of the tool’s evolution over time.

No Patent Date at All?

What if your tool has no patent markings? This can mean a few things.

Solution: The tool could be very old, made before patent markings were common practice. It could also be a “knock-off” made by a competing company that didn’t use patented features. Or, it could be from a later period when the original patents had expired. In this case, you’ll need to rely on other clues like the logo, maker’s mark, and construction style to identify it.

Best Practices for Preserving and Caring for Vintage Tools

Once you’ve identified your vintage tool, you’ll want to take care of it. Following some patent dates on woodworking tools best practices for care ensures these historical pieces remain functional for another generation.

Gentle Cleaning Techniques

The goal is to remove grime and light rust, not the tool’s history. A tool’s patina—the dark, aged surface on the metal and wood—is earned over decades and is cherished by many woodworkers.

For metal parts, use a solvent like mineral spirits and a non-woven abrasive pad (like a green or gray Scotch-Brite pad) to gently lift rust without scratching the underlying metal. For wooden handles (totes and knobs), a simple cleaning with Murphy Oil Soap and a soft cloth is often all that’s needed.

Rust Prevention and Storage

Your greatest enemy is moisture. After cleaning, always apply a light protective coating to the metal parts. A simple coat of paste wax or a specialized tool protectant like Boeshield T-9 works wonders.

Store your tools in a dry place. Avoid leaving them on a concrete floor or near an uninsulated wall where condensation can form. A dedicated tool cabinet is your best bet.

The Question of Restoration vs. Preservation

This is a personal choice. Do you want to restore the tool to look brand new, or preserve its vintage character? A full restoration might involve repainting, sanding handles smooth, and polishing all the brass.

Preservation, on the other hand, focuses on making the tool functional while keeping as much of its original character as possible. For many, a well-preserved tool with honest wear marks tells a much better story than a perfectly polished one.

Frequently Asked Questions About Patent Dates on Woodworking Tools

Does a patent date increase a tool’s value?

Not by itself. The value of a vintage tool is determined by its rarity, condition, and desirability among collectors and users. However, a patent date is a key piece of information that helps determine those factors. An early, rare patent on a tool in great condition will certainly be more valuable than a common, later one.

Can I find patent dates on modern power tools?

Yes, absolutely! Modern tools from brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Festool are covered by numerous patents. You can usually find patent numbers molded into the plastic housing or printed on the identification label. The process of looking them up on Google Patents is exactly the same.

What’s the difference between a design patent and a utility patent on a tool?

A utility patent (the most common type) protects the way a tool works or is used. Think of Bailey’s patent for the depth adjuster on his hand planes. A design patent protects the way a tool looks—its ornamental, non-functional appearance. Both can be found on woodworking tools and offer clues to their history.

Diving into the world of patent dates is more than just an academic exercise. It’s a way to connect with the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the past. The next time you pick up that old tool, take a closer look. You’re not just holding a piece of steel and wood; you’re holding a piece of history, with a story just waiting to be told.

Now get out there, start digging through that old toolbox, and see what stories you can uncover. Happy hunting, and stay safe in the workshop!

Jim Boslice
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