Measuring Rules

I really only intend to collect things that effect a calculating operation. Slide rules are obviously in, and simple rulers are obviously out. (OK, yes, you can add and subtract measurements, but it's such a trivial calculation, and measuring rulers are such an enormous class, I just don't have an interest.)

Gunter rules contain a log scale that is used for calculating so they're in, albeit the actual operation additionally requires a pair of calipers. You'll find just a few on this site.

But maybe because I have a couple old carpentry rules with Gunter scales, my brother misinterpreted the breadth of my interest and gifted me a couple other old linear rules whose purpose is only to measure things. They should be out, but on the other hand they are beautiful, and he is my brother. Rules about rules were made to be broken.

J. Rabone & Sons 24 inch 4-fold Architect's Rule - Boxwood

The Rabone family was involved in rule and tool making from 1780 to at least 2008. It was started by Michael, and his wife Elizabeth took over after his death in 1803. His son, John, took the helm in the 1820s. His son, John Jr., was added to the firm in 1845, and his sons Harry and Arthur were added in 1873 and 1877, respectively, which is when it became "J. Rabone & Sons". The firm remained under family control until 1963! (183 years. Think about that: starting a family endeavor that lasts something like 6 generations. I am humbled to contemplate it.) Even then, they remained in business after merging with rival Chesterman, and were eventually bought by Stanley in 1984. As of 2008 their factory at Hockley Abbey Works in Birmingham, England, was still, incredibly, running.

This rule is marked "..& Sons", so the earliest possible date of it is around 1877. I found a price list from 1878 in Google Books which might identify it as a model 1122. (The scales in the picture don't appear to be quite the same, but the description is accurate.) There is an R and either II or 11 or maybe a "pi" symbol stamped on on an inside edge near the hinge, but I don't know what they might mean.

The beautiful rule is in fabulous condition. It's made of boxwood and a white metal that, if the above identification is correct, is nickel, aka "German Silver" (something non-magnetic, at any rate). It's a 2-foot 4-folder with a very robust arched hinge. The outside bears a 24 inch scale divided at the top into 12ths from 1 to 12 and 10ths from 12 to 24, and divided on the bottom into 16ths from 1 to 5 (?) and 8ths from 5 to 24.

On the inside, the hinge bears angle markings so it can be used as a protractor. And then there are a whopping 16 scales for measuring or creating plans scaled to various sizes. Half are on nicely beveled sections of the inner edge in order to bring the markings closer to the page for greater accuracy when measuring or marking plans. Note that the fine divisions for all these scales are in 12ths. Because the scaling factors are usually expressed per foot (e.g. 1' = 1/4"), this lets you easy convert between an actual measure in feet and inches and a pair of marks on the conversion scale.

J. Rabone & Sons 24 inch 4-fold Architect's Rule - Ivory

This is essentially the same rule as above, but in ivory! I so enjoyed receiving the above rule that I sought out more and found this one in ivory! Just beautiful.

The scales are slightly different than the boxwood rule above, and there are only 12, not 16.

However, this one has the distinction of having been made for Keuffel & Esser, who were big into all sorts of drawing equipment.

Ivory Bi-fold 6 inch Rule with Caliper

I have no idea what such a small bifold rule was used for, but it's pretty enough to show off. There's no maker's mark so it's anybody's guess when it was made.