The Stanley No. 2 Smooth Plane was produced between 1867 and 1961. It measures about 7″ long with a 1 5/8″ wide cutter blade. The No. 2C had a corrugated sole.
Most No. 2’s are marked with No. 2 on the toe of the plane.
The original black finish on Stanley planes is called Japanning. It originates from Japan and describes the glossy, highly polished black finish derived from natural resins. Japanning was popular in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s but the ingredients, gum shellac, linseed oil and red lead, made it quite toxic and is no longer used. Some say that a more recent version of Japanning is made from linseed oil and asphaltum, but those ingredients too, may be toxic. Except for the tool purists, it seems that a good coat of high quality black enamel would do just fine.
Stanley No. 2 Planes