The commun Stanley No 110/120 block planes
Stanley manufactured numerous versions of the ubiquitous block planes. From the small model makers ones to the larger fully adjustable ones. The model in question, the No 120 was manufactured from 1876 to 1947 (Walter) It does not shows up in my Stanley Catalog No 34 of 1949 but some claim they were made until the 60s...?? It was never designed to be a great block plane, suitable for cabinet makers (you would be better off with a No 18, 9-1/2 or 60-1/2), it is more geared toward a general household usage. Trimming sticky doors, windows and etc. And yes plane off paint on a workpiece, instead of using your "good" planes It is designed as an inexpensive adjustable (blade advance mechanism) block plane for household usage. It was an offshoot of their popular No 110 which does not have a blade advance mechanism. As Ralph discovered, its achilles heel is in the fragile blade advance mechanism. Definitively not for the ham fisted users... The small serrations on the movable lever ...