The purpose of this study was to analyze the magnitude and distribution of stress using a photoelastic model from the mandibular distal extension removable partial dentures with the mesial or distal placement of the occlusal rest and the mesial or distal connection in the back-action clasp with the five various designs of the back-action clasp, that is, the mesial connection and the distal rest, the distal connection and mesial rest, the mesial connection and mesial rest, the distal connection and the mesial and distal rest, and the mesial connection, and the mesial and distal rest. A photoelastic model was made of the epoxy resin(PC-1) and the hardner(PLH-1) with the acrylic resin teeth used and was coated with the plastic cement-1 at the lingual surface of the model and then five kinds of the removable partial dentures on the photoelastic model were set. A unilateral vertical load of 12.5 kg was applied on the central fossa of the first molar with the use of specially designed loading device and the pattern and distribution of the stress of the photoelastic model under each condition was analyzed by the reflective circular polariscope. The following results were obtained. 1. In the back-action clasp with the mesial connection and mesial rest of the case 3, the effect of the stress distribution was the most favorable. 2. In the back-action clasp with the mesial and distal rest, of the case 4 and 5, the stress distribution was more greatly showed in the terminal abutment. 3. Generally, the stress distribution was more favarable in the mesial connection than in the distal connection. 4. In the back-action clasp with the mesial connection of the case 1, 3 and 5, the stress distribution was the most favorable in the mesial rest.