I picked up an old wooden level last weekend at a garage sale. It is in fairly nice condition, vials unbroken, and is accurate, unlike a scary number of brand new ones. The elderly gent I bought it from said it belonged to his grandfather. It's markings are: "Stanley" a heart with "SW" inside, "made in Can.", "No.3", "to adjust remove plates".

3 questions- can anyone give me an approximate date of manufacture
               - should i refinish the wood and polish the brass?
               - value?

Don

I agree with Ron, don't touch it because it won't look like the same tool and, if you are considering resale in the future, it will lower it's value because old tool collectors like to get tools in original condition as they prefer to do restoration themselves for show pieces.

I have a few old tools from a workshop my Great Uncles ran and some of my Grandfather's and, like Ron, I just love an opportunity to use them.

That's true Jim, I should have said 'if collectors want to restore'.

I have a couple dozen wood levels around here somewhere. The Cherry #3 Stanleys are among those most often encountered in collections. I think they're very attractive if in good condition.

Stanley used two different "Sweetheart" logos in the 1920's. The guy running the operation in those days was named Hart, ergo the heart logo.