Goodell-Pratt Bench Levels

Sometime around 1915 Goodell-Pratt Co. began advertising itself as a company making 1500 different tools.  Indeed, the catalog No. 17, published in 1930 swelled to 416 pages and listed hundreds of tools.

The image from catalog No. 17 shows five models of bench levels made by Goodell-Pratt.

They were based on patent No. 570,056 awarder on October 27, 1896 to Charles F. Richardson of Athol, Massachusetts.  The patent is shown on the next page.  The Goodell-Pratt Co. began manufacturer of these levels sometime in 1904.

In August 1904 issue of Carpentry and Building the following announcement clarified this arrangement:

"Goodell-Pratt Company, manufacturer of mechanics' tools, Greenfield. Mass., has recently purchased the Iron level business formerly carried on by C. F. Richardson & Son, Athol. Mass.

The Goodell Company now has this department running nicely in its plant at Greenfield, has brought it up to date, and is turning out a full and complete line of the levels."

Bench Level No. 717

It was package in a wooden box with sliding cover.
The box was built with finger joints.

The iron base of the level is 12 inch long, machined flat.

The upper body of the base is finished with black enamel.  Some suggest that this finish is not an enamel but japanning.  The catalog description however clearly states that it is enameled finish.

The vial has a divisions helpful in accurate adjustment.

The level tube is made in a nickel-plated brass.