This old cast Stanley level was found at a yard sale recently and I'm hoping to find out more about it.  The marking on the left might indicate fabrication or patent date, but the mark on the left has me baffled.  Hoping for some help here.  Stanley was of no help, although I did find this catalogue on line from 1914. 

 

 

Welcome to the forum, Charlie. That is one cool level you have, there are some old tool guys here that may be able to offer some info.

Edited August 12, 2025Aug 12 by Fred W. Hargis Jr

Welcome aboardCharlie.  John Moody will come ambling by sometime and answer your question.  He knows all about the older Stanley tools.

Hi Charlie. I’m not home at this time but I’ll look and see what I have on it. I have several of those levels. I’ll get back to you later tonight. 
 

Thanks so much for the input.  Glad to be a part of this forum.  I mistyped in the original post.  The mark on the right might refer to a fab or patent date.  I've found nearly identical levels at several places on-line, but all seem to be embossed with 'Stanley' on the web near the main vial.  Mine lacks this.

I’m going to have to do a little more looking for this. Give me a bit and maybe I can find you an answer. The best I’ve found so far is it might indicate a patent date range from 1896 to 1903. 
 

 

I found this in one of my catalogs that describes the vials but doesn’t mention the PTS 8.4. I’ll keep looking. 

 

 

Thank you John.  I very much appreciate your time spent here.  Stanley responded again last night and confirmed 8.23.96 is the date of manufacture.  Perhaps they'll turn up something on the PTS8.4 mark.

On 8/12/2025 at 5:19 PM, Charlie said:

Thanks so much for the input.  Glad to be a part of this forum

Late to this party. First, Welcome to The Patriot Woodworker Charlie. Glad to have you join us too. Congratulations on the great find; a great eye you possess as well to find at a yard sale. Thanks for sharing with us. Looking forward to your continuing participation with us.

 

Thanks @John Moodyfor your help. Happy to see you sharing your knowledge with us again. Hope things are improving for you and you're able to get some shop time in again.