Stanley No. 78 Duplex Rabbet & Fillister Planes, Lot of 2 with Pamphlet

A working pair of Stanley No. 78 duplex rabbet and fillister planes, each with a cast iron body finished in black japanning and cast "No. 78 / Made in USA" at the throat. Two of the four also carry the "STANLEY" mark embossed on the skate. The No. 78 is Stanley's classic dual-position design: two blade seats for bullnose and standard rabbet work, an adjustable fence riding on steel rods, a depth stop, and a nicker spur for cross-grain cutting. Blade width is 1-1/2 inches across the set. The "Made in USA" casting without a patent date places production after 1962, from Stanley's New Britain, Connecticut plant.

The lot includes fence and depth-stop hardware fitted to the planes, a separate loose T-shaped iron depth stop/fence casting with thumbscrew, and a period Stanley "Planes for Weatherstrip Work" instruction pamphlet (Stanley Tools, New Britain, Conn.).

CONDITION

Good overall as a working set. One plane has a broken screw receptacle on the fence/depth-stop rod clamp; all show surface wear, light rust, and paint loss consistent with use and age.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Stanley No. 78 Duplex Rabbet & Fillister Plane
• Production Date: Post-1962 ("Made in USA" casting, no patent date)
• Blade Width: 1-1/2"
• Each Plane (approx.): 4-1/2" H × 10" L × 4" W
• Body: Cast iron, japanned finish
• Blade & Lever Cap: Steel
• Fence & Depth Stop: Adjustable, steel rods
• Spur: Nicker for cross-grain work
• Blade Positions: Two — bullnose and standard
• Origin: New Britain, Connecticut, USA
• Quantity: 2 planes
• Note: One plane has a fractured fence-rod thumbscrew receptacle; rod retention non-functional on that example
• Accessories Included: Loose T-shaped iron depth stop/fence casting with thumbscrew; Stanley "Planes for Weatherstrip Work" instruction pamphlet