Hi everyone. This my first post but I have been following for a few years and really enjoy the knowledge, insight about vintage tools.
I recently bought a jack size plane, 14", off the auction site for $2 plus shipping. It was hardly described and poorly photographed, but I took a chance. When I received it, the first thing I did was look for marks - sometimes the prior owner just does not know where to look or can't see past the rust. I found none, other than a sweetheart iron (bonus). But I was really intrigued when I popped off the frog and saw a frog bottom and seat I have never seen before (being mainly a bottom feeder price-wise).
After some research, including in this forum, it seems similar to the type of round sided bedrock style series that Stanley made for Keen Kutter and Winchester in the 1920's. However, there is no marking at all on the bed or lever cap. No "K", no "W", no "Made in USA". Nothing. It has the high front nob. It does not look like a Vaughan and Bushnell because the frog bed is completely milled, not hollowed out in the center. I don't know if the sweetheart iron is original, but the time period is right. Finally, the various screws from known Stanleys fit in this plane. I feel like it is a 1920's era Stanley made clone, just not for Keen Kutter or Winchester.
Perhaps it was made for a hardware chain that put its own decals on? I would be grateful of anyone can confirm or have any other ideas?
I can't seem to get the pictures uploaded, but it really looks like a K5 but without the markings.
thanks