Antique Hall & Knapp Pre- Stanley Eagle Level 28" NR

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

It is always better to collect antiques than to become one. Stay young at heart. My Hobby is Collecting and Restoring Antique Levels. I spent many years working with tools and now do so as a hobby. I also collect the stories of those who used these tools and came before us. While I am a tool fanatic of all sorts, I have chosen levels as my specialty and studied under one of the best. Many of you are experts and I'm still learning, so please be patient, as my mentor left this world way too soon. I am doing the best I can and my focus is and has been on the restoration process. At the same time, I am reading various books regarding levels and their makers including Don Rosebrook and of course the Stanley books. I'll let you know when I am an expert. Most of my E-bay transactions are levels or level related, but I have been known to collect just about everything else. Like many of you, I am a fool for neat old stuff. In my search for levels, I sometimes pick up other items and list those as well. My goal is to restore old levels to display quality and to provide items that my customers truly enjoy owning. I appreciate all the kind words and positive feedback and I've enjoyed answering your questions about Grandpa's level. I take great care when I fix a broken vial or restore the finish so you can enjoy it for years to come. All my items are fully guaranteed to be as described or your money will be cheerfully refunded. Up for Auction is one of my specially restored Antique Hall & Knapp 28" Mahogany Plumb Fixed Level. Hall & Knapp were eventually acquired by Stanley, putting them in the level business. This level is extremely old and the restoration was quite difficult. I might not do another of these. Please read all about it before bidding. Other items in the background are not part of this auction. I used a lot of different light around the workshop to try to show all features. The level plate reads: HALL & KNAPP (Eagle Emblem)NEW BRITAIN CT The square plumb vial cover plates top and bottom have no writing and are correct. All parts of this level were removed and this is a total restoration. It is still working and accurate. The main level vial was carefully removed and reinstalled. There are just a few tool box dings remaining or this level would be perfect. Unlike later models of mass manufactured levels, this one was obviously hand made. The holes on the cover plate can only go one way, things like that. Please look at the pictures and read everything below before bidding. The level is 28" Long x 3" Tall x 1-5/16" Thick and weighs 3lbs, 11oz. With packaging it will weigh 4 lbs 8 oz. The wood is a stunning example of fine Cuban mahogany and would have belonged to someone who really appreciated fine tools. They took very good care of this level. I would rate this level as Good++ as most (97%) tool box dings were removed and the only reason I don't call if FINE is that a few small indentions are still barely visible. You can read more about this level in Don Rosebrook's American Levels and Their Manufacturers. This level is a working example, but I certainly wouldn't try to use it as a tool because of its value. I am offering it as a display piece that should be rightfully retired from active service and not as a user. The restoration process involves complete dis-assembly of the level, except as noted above. All spider and insect nests are removed and the stock is checked for insect bore damage. All vial carriages are cleaned of all corrosion and screws are buffed and put through a bluing process if they are steel. The carriages are either refinished or buffed if they are brass. The level stock is sanded and the rating is based on how many tool box dings and scratches were able to be removed. The wood is then treated with a mixture of penetrating wax and finished with Brie Wax. Lighter color mahogany wood is stained. All brass is cleaned and polished to a reasonable sheen but no lacquer is applied. This will allow the brass to begin to develop a new and con... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.