Antique Stratton Brothers 28\" Brass Bound Level & Plumb Mahogany No.1 NICE NR For Sale

Tool Collector\'s Prayer

Lord, I ask for your help with this affliction I have regarding things antique and tools in particular. It has gotten so bad that I have no place else to display them or store them. I have also made everyone mad at my house. So I ask for your help. Help me to thin my collection, focus my attention on specific items, to let go of things I really don\'t need or cannot afford.

Actually Lord what I would really like is a bigger house. With lots of rooms, display cabinets, shelves, task lighting and a little more money to spend. Amen.

PLEASE READ DESCRIPTIONS AND LOOK AT PICTURES BEFORE offerDING. ASK QUESTIONS, I RESPOND QUICKLY.

Up for sale is one of my specially restored:

Antique Early Stratton Brothers Eagle Logo 28\" No. 1 Tropical Mahogany (possibly Cuban or early heavy Honduran) Brass Bound Adjustable Level and Plumb with Five screw end plates. There are a few tool bench marks from use and the brass is in good shape with the Stratton Logo crisp; please see all the pictures by scrolling down. A nice looking bench style level that was used but cared for.

Dimensions are 28\" Long x 1-5/16\" Wide x 3-1/4\"Tall.

Remarkable shape for an old level and weighs a hefty 5lbs 1 oz naked and 6 lb 4oz with careful packing. (please see pictures). The maker\'s marks are on the top plate and are hard to read:

Eagle Logo

STRATTON BROTHERS

GREENFIELD

MASS

PAT MCH.1.1876

This level is in very good condition and while the digital pictures show every flaw, it presents better than the pictures. The only apologies are some usage marks and small gouges; the logo is crisp on the brass top plate. It was carefully restored and given a generous multi-stage hand rubbed waxed finished. The Level & Plumb reads accurately. We combine where possible to save shipping.

A remarkable piece of American Tool making.

Please see my other items. We combine shipping where possible.

Please Note: Sometimes I includeother items in pictures for the purpose of suggesting how to display the item being saleed, to show scale of item,or because I haven\'t cleared off the workbench. Also, I love tools and have very few places left to photograph stuff that don\'t have tool items in the background. Only those items specifically listed in the sale detail are included in this listing.

The restoration Process involves a careful assessment of each level. The goal is to remain as original as possible with a minimum of 95% original parts. When level and plumb assemblies are removed, insect nests are almost always removed and the cleaning begins. Levels are thoroughly cleaned and often sanded to remove minor surface pitting and nicks. This makes the level more enjoyable as a display piece. A multi step finish process produces a hand waxed finish that should last a lifetime with minor polishing with a clean soft rag from time to time. Originally, levels came with a lacquer coating and over time will become opaque and fade, often flaking. I do not lacquer the levels, but rather hand finish them to allow the brass to begin developing a natural patina in just a few years. The result is a stunning piece that is attractive and approved by most spouses. Some levels are stained to look like they did from the factory. I mix my own stains using the same type recipes used in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Brass is cleaned but not normally polished. All surfaces are buffed to an attractive luster.

Shipping: The best insurance is careful packing. Items are carefully padded and shipped in the safest manner. I only ship levels USPS Priority Mail. This also gives us the ability to track the package and have delivery confirmation. For really expensive items, I ship insured at my expense, which may require your signature. If you buy more than one item, give me time to adjust the shipping on your invoice for combined shipping.

VERY IMPORTANT:

IF YOU NEED ME TO WAIT TO SHIP YOUR ITEM,

please contact me before paying!!!

For international buyers, the shipping is very expensive and we are happy to quote. We pass on any discounts the postal service offers and refund the difference if you overpay. We only ship USPS Priority Mail International. We of course obey all applicable laws regarding documentation. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your own countries\' tariffs and other charges they mighthave. These are not additional fees we have tacked on and are often collected by your postal service.

Payment Terms:

• We accept Pay-Pal and ask for payment within three days of sale end.
  

• If you are asking for a delayed shipment, please contact me immediately before paying! Once you pay, we can\'t delay.
  

• If you need more time to pay, we must know about it.
  

• Communication works wonders.

It is extremely important to all of us that the sale format be protected from those who offer and then don\'t pay. This is not fair to sellers and especially other buyers. We aren\'t interested in ruining reputations or being tough guys. We\'re just trying to sale stuff off and be fair. If something happened and you suddenly can\'t pay, please don\'t just sit there and do nothing. Let us know and we\'ll work it out with you and re list the item. Otherwise we use the non-pay policy of E-bay.

RETURNS:

• Please look at the pictures and ask questions.
  

• There\'s nothing I hate more than opening a package and it is not anything like I was expecting.
  

• We try to take high resolution pictures and do not hide the flaws in the shadows.

• If you do not agree that the item you purchased was as described or what you were expecting, you may return the item within 14 days for money back including postage.
  

• Please contact me first and let me know if there is a problem. response is not the place for communication.
  

• I always take care of any problems. Just let me know and I\'ll make sure you are happy.
  

• Your receipt in your package will have additional contact information to make sure you can contact me.

Feel free to e-mail me any questions that the description and/or pictures do not answer. If you do not hear back from me it is because I did not get the message. I always respond! Try again.

If you\'d like to read my new book The Ransom Chest, you may find it on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.