Antique Wooden Levels

This is just a sample of the many antique levels & tools we have sold.
Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We Buy Quality Antique Tools
Contact Us at AntiqBuyer@gmail.com

Special Note Concerning Prices Seen Below:
Most prices seen reflect actual sale results from this website.
Prices seen span a long time and may not reflect current values.  Some are selling for more, many now sell for less.
On other pieces you will see no price, or a price range, with or without an explanation.  The reasons for that are discussed on the FAQ page.

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com

Stratton Bros No. 10 Brass Bound Mahogany 6" Machinist Level   Nice overall condition.

Good + . . . . . $150.00         SOLD!!

Stratton Brothers 10" Rosewood Brass Bound Plumb & Level    Both vials are good. It has the 1870 patent date and name on the top plate.   Nice!! 

Good + . . . . . $150.00      SOLD!!

Roof Framers Patented "Plumb Level"  Patented Oct. 20 1912 by Robert Brooks of Beaukiss, Texas. This is an unusual and hard to find roofers tool / level / inclinometer.

There is a revolving paper chart built into the body to give the user the proper lengths and cuts for given roof rafter pitches. The chart is not in the greatest condition, with parts being hard to read, and some are bug eaten. You get the idea though. The rest of the level is pretty nice.

It also has a built in compass in case your confused about what is up, or where you are at, when up on the roof, and a sighting feature for - - - I am not sure. You are going to have to read the patent for using that.

After holding this level with its adjustable angle finder on the rafter bottom, you would - - - - . Read the patent description. It is long, involved and beyond my pay grade. The patent # is 1035944.

It comes up with a Google search as does a bit more info from an article by Jim Gehring the famous level collector of Brown Tool Auctions, in a Crafts Tool Club of NJ newsletter.

Good  . . . . . $295.00       SOLD!!

Helb Patent American Combined Level & Grade Finder / Inclinometer The Helb Patent Level / Inclinometer is a classic piece of American ingenuity. There are many different versions or types of wood used in different models. This example was stained and there are losses to that finish. It also has a wood strip on the bottom I have never seen on one of these before. I assume that is an after market modification.

Helb packed a lot of features into his unusual patented tool. It has a sighting tube in addition to the standard level vials and gravity inclinometer feature. All of those features are OK. Maker info and more on the brass plate on top. Charts on the dial face. It could easily be refinished as the main features are all OK.

Another odd feature is the lack of a compass which all other examples I have ever had or seen has had. Perhaps the added strip and the missing compass make it an unusual variation.

Good  . . . . . $125.00      SOLD!!

Helb Patent American Combined Level & Grade Finder / Inclinometer  The Helb Patent Level / Inclinometer is a classic piece of American ingenuity.  This example is in very nice original condition noting the owner initials in the side, and that the small compass has lost the points or direction. Helb packed a lot of features into his unusual patented tool.  It has a sighting tube, compass, in addition to the standard level vials and gravity inclinometer feature.  Maker info and more on the brass plate on top.  Charts on the dial face.  Nice!!

Good + . . . . . 100.00       SOLD!!

Helb Patent American Combined Level & Grade Finder / Inclinometer  This Helb Patent Inclinometer / Grade finder is in nice condition and has a great patina.  I believe it is Tiger Maple.  The  Helb Patent Level / Inclinometer is a classic piece of American ingenuity.   Helb packed a lot of features into his unusual patented tool.  It has a sighting tube, compass, in addition to the standard level vials and gravity inclinometer feature.  Maker info and more on the brass plate on top.  Charts on the dial face.  Nice!!

Good + . . . . . 75.00       SOLD!!

Helb Patent American Combined Level & Grade Finder / Inclinometer   The Helb Patent Level / Inclinometer is a classic piece of American ingenuity. There are many different versions or types of wood used in different models.  This example was stained / painted, and there are losses to that finish.

Helb packed a lot of features into his unusual patented tool. It has a sighting tube, compass, in addition to the standard level vials and gravity inclinometer feature. All of those are OK.  Maker info and more on the brass plate on top. Charts on the dial face.  It could easily be refinished as the main features are all OK.

Good . . . . . $125.00         SOLD!!

Disston & Morss No. 17 26" Inclinometer / Plumb & Level   I could find scant info on this unusual inclinometer level online.   Very nice original condition.   

Good + . . . . . . 225.00            SOLD!!

L. L. Davis 20" Mahogany Level  Info on top plate.  March 7 1867 Patent Date.  Early mark. This is about as nice as they come. 

Good + . . . . . . $75.00        SOLD!!

28" Davis No. 10  1867 Patent Mahogany Level  Simply marked Davis with the 1867 patent date.  I do not see a model # but I believe No. 10 is right.  This mahogany level & plumb is in nice original condition.  Looks good.  

Good +  . . . . . 45.00       SOLD!!

Davis & Cook 24" Wooden Level  Based on Cooks Level Patent from 1886.  Davis & Cook operated out of Watertown NY.   This wooden, cherry or mahogany, plumb & level is in nice original condition.  Looks great.  

Fine  . . . . . 25.00      SOLD!!

Weaver’s Patent Adjustable Plumb & Level   Patented Oct. 27, 1908 by John D. Weaver of Naples, IL.  It is unmarked and installed in a thin piece of stained wood. Very nice original condition.   

Fine . . . . . . 75.00       SOLD!!

W. H. Hill - A. V. Shorts 1905 Patent Wooden Level  This unusual level is 26" long.  It is stamped with both the patent holders name and date, A. V. Shorts, as well as W. H. Hill the makers name.

It has 4 vials housed in a nickel plated housing where the vials can rotate by turning the worm drive thumbscrew under the lift up door on the right.

This seems to be a manufactured version with the cutouts in the wood stock.  They are most often found as a stand alone level and the buyer was supposed to fit it to a piece of wood stock of his choice.  Looks pretty good.. 

Good +  . . . . . 45.00       SOLD!!

Helb Patent American Combined Level & Grade Finder / Inclinometer  The classic Helb Patent Level / Inclinometer in very nice original condition. Helb packed a lot of features into his unusual patented tool.  It has a sighting tube and compass in addition to the standard level vials and inclinometer feature  Maker info and more on the brass plate.  Charts on the dial face.  All nice!!

Fine  . . . . . 295.00

Goodell Pratt Brass Bound 20" Level  Info on the top plate.   This is nice, and will be much nicer w/ a light clean and oil or wax.  They turned out a quality product.  These do not turn up all that often. 

Good + . . . . . . $60.00     SOLD!!

Disston 18" Brass Bound Mahogany Level  Very nice!! 

Good + . . . . . $60.00        SOLD!!

Davis & Cook 12" Wooden Level  Based on Cooks Level Patent from 1886.   This cherry or mahogany level is in nice original condition and looks great.  At just 12" it is a very unusual size that rarely turns up.  Good vials, and minor finish losses.

Good +  . . . . . 35.00         SOLD!!

Stanley # 49 Iron Framed 18" Walnut Level  No damage.  Pretty nice.  These iron framed Walnut infill Stanley levels do not turn up very often.    

Good + . . . . . 195.00         SOLD!!

Mystery STANLEY Railroad Track Level   This is a great looking Walnut track level that was obviously a manufactured piece.  By who is the question.  I have seen or had other track levels that used parts obtained from known level makers, but this one is a bit different.  It is very similar to those marked Verona Tool Works.

The adjustable rule at one end makes one think typical track level / grade finder for railroad track.  The other end has several different reference points, for different size or style tracks? Not sure why. The parts are made of nickel plated cast brass.  The top plate is marked Stanley with a faint sweetheart logo.  There is also a patent date of 11 - 11 - 24 on the plate which covers adjustable vial found below the plate.  The patent was granted to a Harris J. Cook who held several other tool related patents which were all assigned to Stanley Works. The patent is illustrated and discussed at the site  https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=12552   The info found there states there are no known examples or that the idea is not known to have been produced.  It looks vaguely familiar to me, but I did not find other examples when looking about.  

Good + . . . . . $75.00      SOLD!!

Stanley Sweetheart Era # 98 12" Brass Bound Rosewood Level  This is a great looking brass bound Rosewood level. It has been cleaned and coated with the collectors trademark coating of clear lacquer.  It did not need it, but he did it anyway. 

Good + . . . . . $195.00      SOLD!!

Stratton Brothers #10 8" Rosewood Brass Bound Plumb & Level  The top bubble looks to have been replaced.  It has not been refinished or otherwise fiddled with.  Nice!! 

Good + . . . . . $150.00     SOLD!!

Stratton Brothers #1 Brass Bound 26" Mahogany Level   Nice overall condition. Typical & normal tool box dings. 

Good +  . . . . . . $55.00     SOLD!!

2 Railroad Track Inclinometer Levels  This style level was used to lay and maintain railroad track.  They are approx. 60" long and designed to lay across the track as they were being laid or repaired.

Both levels hail from Shelbyville IL but from different companies.  The lighter color and better condition one in front  has a tag that indicates it was made by Oliver. This is the same Oliver that made tractors and other farm equipment.  The one in the back has a tag that says Tallman Manufacturing Co.  A little Google research turned up the fact that Oliver bought out Tallman so there is a connection.  Both operate on the same principle with an adjustable arm to determine pitch on one end. 

Front /  Oliver Fine . . . . . $125.00     SOLD!!

Back / Tallman  Good . . . . . $75.00     SOLD!!

Akron Spirit Level Co 12" Eclipse Level   You see larger versions of this make level all the time. It is clearly stamped Baker McMillen Co. Akron, Ohio, Pat. Pend on the top.  This style / make level was granted a patent on 12/20/04.  We can assume it dates from before that.  The body has a stamp that says 06, or 90   I have never had or seen one this small, or this nice.  Unusual & Nice!! 

Fine . . . . . $95.00   SOLD!!

26" Mahogany Adjustable Plumb & Level  This unusual level is unmarked as to maker.  It has very distinctive vial covers on the adjustable plumb and level ports.  They are an unusual diamond hatch design with beaded edge!  The overall condition is good.

Good . . . . . $165.00     SOLD!!

6" Stratton Brothers #10 Brass Bound Rosewood Level  This is one of the hardest to find of all the levels that Stratton Brothers put out.  The bubbles are good and appear to be original.  With a simple refinishing this level could be made to look like a million dollars, or leave it as is with its   dents and dings, it will still display very nicely!

Good . . . . .$495.00           SOLD

Stratton Brothers #10 12" Brass Bound Rosewood Level  This is a super nice 12"  level that Stratton Brothers put out.  The bubbles are good and appear to be original.   

Good . . . . .$195.00         SOLD

Chapin Stevens / Tower Lyon Level w/ Wood Patent Pop - Up Sights  Some of the info on the top plate is hard to make out.  There is the 1887 Wood's patent for the sights, but there is another patent date above that from 1870.  Used but OK.  These do not turn up all that often. 

Good + . . . . . . $75.00    SOLD!!

Stephens & Co. # 36 Architects Inclinometer Rule w/ Bevel This unusual rule predates Stephens involvement with Chapin.  The blade doubles as a square or bevel, and with the level in the top leg one can figure things like grades or roof lines and the like.  The overall condition is nice!!

Good + . . . . . $145.00     SOLD!!

Chapin Stevens #036 Rule Level Bevel Architects Combination Rule / Tool This rule was designed to perform a host of functions related to the architectural and building fields.  It is one of the most complex and graphic rules that was ever produced in America.   This example is in super condition while noting that the previous owner has carefully stamped his initials A H into one side between the 10 and 11 mark.  The level bubble is good and the steel bevel arm has just some minor staining.  It is in collector condition,  with tight joints,  very clean and ready to be displayed on your shelf.

Good . . . . . $225.00            SOLD

BACK to Tool Archive

This is just a sample of the many antique levels & tools we have sold.
Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We Buy Quality Antique Tools
Contact Us at AntiqBuyer@gmail.com

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com

This website is Copyrighted
Larry & Carole Meeker