Posted 8 years ago
Evergreen
(1 item)
Apparently this tool is some sort of measuring tool, a ruler of sorts. It is made up of 8 brass bars linked together with small brass rings fused closed. Each bar (5/8 x 3/16) plus ring is 6 inches long with scribe marks every inch; the whole chain being 48 inches and weighing 26 oz. Some wear and tear on the rings and/or holes in the bars have resulted in the total length now being 48 1/2 inches from the first scribe mark on what I have called the Start Bar to the blunt end of the End Bar. If it is a measuring tool, the question is, what was it used for?
Cooper?
Maybe part of a surveyor chain/tape?
Can't help with the ID but I thought you might be interested in the following: Technically, a "ruler" is simply a tool for making straight lines; i.e. it does not have to have markings on it. A tool for determining length is called a "measure" (as in tape measure). Obviously, many measures are also rulers (such as a yardstick) and vice-versa, but yours is not.
To conform to Collectors Weekly, it has to be in either, “Rules and Rulers” or “Tape Measures.” Although you could use it to draw a polygon, which makes it a ruler, of sorts, in fact, it is probably better categorized as a scale. Semantics aside, the question is, “What was it used to measure?”
I can't see it being used in barrel making (the cooper suggestion), and it's pretty short for any surveying application where chains are 66 feet long. I have one idea, but I won't post it until others have had a chance to offer their ideas since it seems to be a guessing game.
I concur. I hate to "guess" because I'm tired of hearing "it could be used for..." I always say "You can open a can of paint with a screwdriver but that doesn't make it a "paint can opener."
Interesting to note in my opinion. If 'X' (Roman numeral - 10) = 10. Then 4 segments would equal 5, and 2 segments would equal 2.5.....leaving us with one segment equaling 1.25, which happens to be divided into 5 sections itself that equals 5/4, or 1.25. Cool item.
Uncle Ron, Can I use your quote about the screwdriver?
Yes. If you print it I'd appreciate if you'd attribute it. I've been saying that for years. It would be a hoot to see myself being quoted. :-) Ron Bucher