B67-267 LEVEL. L.L. Davis No. 27. 26" long, red mahogany with brass end caps. Early type without brass sidelights, and marked with Davis's 1867 patent which actually has nothing to do with this design. Wood is very clean with crisp edges and 95% complete paper label, faded but legible. Wooden levels were an early part of Davis's line, but he sold his patent rights to E.M. Chapin in 1877, possibly under financial pressure due to the Panic of 1877, and thereafter focused on cast iron levels. The brass has some corrosion, and there are two small holes drilled through the stock that look intentional. From the collection of David Jeffers. Fine 150-300