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Imitation: the Best Form of Flattery
Dedicated tool hounds are familiar with the distinctive yellow
pasteboard boxes adorned with green end labels that the Stanley Tool
Company used for many years to package its products—most
notably its entire line of hand planes. Upon discovery of
this plane and box at auction, there was much jubilation until
a closer inspection showed that, while it looked right for
the part, it was actually an impostor…sort of.
 By
1900, the copyrights and patents issued for the original Stanley
and Bailey planes had long expired, which allowed for many
companies to replicate these plane types. In America,
these companies became viable Stanley competitors by imitating
the basic features of the original Bailey concept. In some
cases, the Stanley Company responded to this competition by
buying a company or by commencing legal action to stop possible
patent infringements. Stanley's expansion program also included
the creation of British and Canadian plants, as well as the
takeover of plants in these countries that had previously
been independent manufacturers. The maker of this plane, Jernbolaget,
supplied hardware and other metal wares in Sweden. The company
is still in existence.
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