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Measuring Tools

Panel Gauge

ME120171 Panel Gauge A crisp and little used, American, beech panel gauge. It is a professionally made piece, but is not signed. It does have an old store price code on it from when it was new. I love that. It is in untouched condition, fresh from a local auction where it was taken out of a tool chest. The shaft is 20 inches overall. Condition just doesn't get better on wooden tools that are from the 19th Century. Fine- $75


L.S. Starrett

ME120175 L.S. Starrett I don't recall ever having a forged steel version of the small Starrett combination square before. This one has the square head and the center finder head. I am not good at dating these, but it has some age on it, certainly pre-1970, at least. Fine- Sold




Marples, Sheffield

ME120127 Marples, Sheffield A truly new old stock Marples brass stemmed morticing gauge. This gauge showed absolutely no sign of use. The stem has a lovely color and all of the original factory tooling marks. The pins are perfect, the head is perfect, it is truly superb. The decal on the head, which dates it to the 20 -50s, is mostly gone. Also, there are a some very small dings in the end of the stem near the points. This is a true connoisseur's tool. Fine- $149


Full Female Body Calipers

ME120129 Full Female Body Calipers A 5" pair of brass calipers, with the legs formed as a woman's body. Dancing leg calipers are far more common than this type, which captures the entire essence of the female form in profile. These have been cleaned a bit carelessly and the patina is a bit blotchy. They are dead genuine. Many of the ones I see are fakes. G+ $295



Bevel Square

ME120132 Bevel Square An untouched unmarked Philadelphia made bevel square in the scarce 12" size. The blade has some rust, and it really is not a TBT quality tool, but I figured that at this price somebody would want it just as a user. It will clean up well and there is nothting about it that will impede is usability. G- $14



D. Flather, Solly Works, Sheffield

ME120145 D. Flather, Solly Works, Sheffield A typical 7 1/2" cabinetmaker's square. Nice honest condition. G+ $45






Kersha Bros, Cleve. Kersha Bros, Cleve.

ME120111 Kershaw Bros, Cleve. A large size, 12", Eagle cast iron bevel. This is the design that became the famous Stanley 18. This one is marked on the blade, "Pat. Appl. For" and is presumably a quite early example. It has been very lightly cleaned in an inappropriate way, so the surface has a slightly frosted appearance in spots. I stress that this is very light, and only in spots. This is still a very nice example. G+ $95



S. Tyzach & Co, 543,545 Old St. E.C

ME120117 S. Tyzach & Co, 543,545 Old St. E.C A lovely 9" cabinetmaker's square with the original lacquer on the stock and the bluing on the blade. There are a few marks on the stock, and a few spots on the blade, but this is about as good as they get. From my personal collection. G++ $75




Strawson & Co. London

ME120123 Strawson & Co. London A set of 4 six inch ivory drafting scales in the original leather case. Each is factory marked with the owner's name, one H.D. Williams. There is one very small chip out of one scale, but these are in superb condition. A wonderful set for the connoisseur. G++ $195






Antique Tool

ME1112237 Cabinetmaker's Strike Knife A classic strike knife, unmarked but of quality manufacture. 5 1/2" overall. A must own tool. G++ $45



Antique Tool

ME1112240 Panel Gauge This panel gauge has a solid boxwood head, something that I have not seen before. The shaft seems to be satinwood, but I am not as sure about that. Great patina, a quality tool that was probably made by a cabinetmaker working on fine satinwood furniture. The shaft is 24 inches. I really like this one. G++ $95



Antique Tool

ME1112244 Tidgewell & Co. Middletown, Ct A scarce signed American cabinetmaker's 6" square with the fancy shaped escutcheon. This tool is crisp, but neglected. It has its original finish on the blade, but also scattered rust. As found and usable as it is. Should be waxed. Good $29



Antique Tool

ME1112250 Unmarked An unmarked but Disston made small sized bevel square, the blade is 6 inches overall. Totally as found and crisp, but there is some pitting on the blade which impacted the condition, and made it cheap. Still a great user with nice untouched patina. Good $35



Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME111239 Made & Sold by John Dupee A superb early 18th Century American surveyor's compass by John Dupee of Boston, and marked, "Made & Sold by John Dupee, North Side Swingbridge, Boston, New Eng." The dial is paper and the body is mahogany with an elegant blued needle. It has one I believe are the original sighting vanes, which is usually not the case. One of the vanes has a split at the very top were the wood is quite thin. There are two cracks in the glass, one all the way through, and one working its way across. Fantastic original surface. This instrument is nearly 300 years old and is one of the earliest instruments made in this country. Wonderful. G++ $1995



Antique Tool

ME1112221 W. Cresson, Phlilada A 10" bevel square by the early American saw maker, William Cresson. Any tools marked by this early Philadelphia sawmaker are scarce. The brass trim on this bevel has been hand polished and the rosewood, which is nicely figured, has moderate tool box rash. The blade is nicely patinted and retains much of the original blueing, which has faded to brown. G+ $69



Antique Tool

ME1112226 Winslow's Patent Face Gauge A used but well cared for example of this scarce patented morticing gauge. Only about 10% of the nickel remains, but the metal has a pleasing patina. No issues, just moderate use. Bargain priced compared to a pristine example. G+ $189



Antique Tool

ME1112227 W. Baker, Prize Medal, 1876, Philadelphia A cabinetmaker's strike knife, with a swelled section for better grip, possibly the source of the prize medal. I find it interesting that a London made tool was bragging of winning a medal in the famous 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. It shows you how important that show was at the time. The first part of the mark is not clear and I am not 100% sure that the name is W. Baker. I am guessing on the B and the A. The rest is certain. G+ Sold



Antique Tool

111254 J. Rabone & Sons, Makers, Birmingham A 9inch boxwood combination rule and level. Most of these are 12 inch. This one is nice and I would have rated it higher, and priced it higher, but an idiot has polished the brass trim. G+ $79



Antique Tool

ME111229 Fenn, London A classic Victorian ebony and brass trim mitre square. Fenn made ornamental lathes and ran a high-end tool shop that competed with Holtzapfel. Sadly, the owner, a Mr. J. Lee, stamped his name obliquely across the Fenn mark. It is still legible but I would have preferred that Mr. Lee has shown a modicum of respect. The blade still has original bluing and the brass has some original lacquer and nice patina. Totally untouched. About a 10" size. A first quality cabinetmaker's tool that would have graced a London cabinetmaker's kit at one time. G+ $65



Antique Tool

ME111230 Engraved and Dated Level A 12" rosewood level with brass face, engraved, "B. Cook, 1869," The brass has been lighty hand polished but still has original patina. The wood shows some moderate tool box wear, but not like a level that was knocking about in the bottom for years. This is a nice piece, and hand engraved and dated tools are not common. G+ $198



Antique Tool

ME111255 E. Preston & Sons, Birm. Eng. A scarce Preston shipwright's double sided bevel with brass blades. The rosewood has lots of light tool box rash and the trim is polished, which held back the condition. The brass blades are crisp and untouched. Twelve inches when closed. Good $65



Antique Tool

ME81227 Ritchie's Patent Combination Square This is a scarce and desirable tool from the great "Age of Invention." This patent was from 1884. This square has two level vials built in, a bevel square, and a graduated square. Both level vials have protective sliding covers. It is a wonderfully made tool. There is light pitting over much of the graduated square blade and the etching of the name and patent are visible but not really legible. Still quite a presentable example of a rare and highly decorative tool. Good Our consignor has just authorized a dramatic price drop to: Sold



Antique Tool

ME111119 Disston & Morss A large version of the Disson brass stocked square, the blade is just under 12 inches overall. These squares are pretty scarce and I don't recall seeing one this large before. Nice patina on the brass. The blade has a dark patina with some scattered surface pitting. It looks better in person than in sounds. A respectable example. Good $59



Antique Tool

ME111120 Winterbottom, Philada A Winterbottom patent square with mitred top. The blade is 9 3/4" overall, which is large for these. The blade has a nice medium patina. The brass has been hand polished at some point and the wood has been cleaned with steel wool as well. Otherwise I would have called it G+. Still a decent tool. Good $59



Antique Tool

ME111092 Unmarked 18th Century Gunter Rule An unmarked 24" boxwood Gunter rule. Lovely untouched condtion with superb patina and color. All hand marked and clearly early, probably 18th Century. I would rate it higher but there is a pronouced curve overs its length. It still lies more or less flat, the curve in the other plane. A very pretty piece and priced very modestly because of the warp. G+ $149



Antique Tool

ME111094 E. Preston & Sons, Birmingham A small fixed steel square of the style commonly made by Starrett and Brown & Sharpe. The blade is 3 3/4" total length. Nice clean condition. The only one of this size by Preston that I have seen. G++ $85



Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME111057 Hockley Abbey A 12" 4 fold boxwood rule that is as crisp and clean as new. Dare I say that it could probably be honestly called mint. It has with it the original leather case, marked by a Maudes of Norwich, a car dealership, who very likely gave this out as a promotional item. Hockley Abbey was a Rabone trademark. The second photo is a copy of an original 1930s ad vor Maudes of Norwich. This ad is not mine and it is not being sold with the rule. A little gem. Fine $69



Antique Tool

ME111058 Stephen Haughton & Sons, Makers, Ormskirk A super folding Guinea scale in the mahogany case. Used in the late 18th Century to verify gold coins. Crisp, uncleaned, and light used condition. One of the best that I have seen. Fine $295



Antique Tool

ME111059 Cabinetmaker's Square An unmarked ebony stocked 14" cabinetmaker's square in untouched condition. The blade retains much of its original blue and the brass trim has a pleasing patina. There is one old chip out of the ebony on the back of the stock, but nothing else of note to report. A nice honest example. G+ $45



Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME11103 Unmarked A rare 36" four fold square ivory rule. This style of rule is typically much smaller. Thsi rule shows moderate wear with only very light yellowing. There is one mark at 25 3/8" that looks like a burn or even a chemical burn. All hand numbered and probably early 19th Century. A nice collector's piece. G+ $395



Antique Tool

ME111018 W. Short, Maker, London A nice untouched beech gauge. It has a slitter at one end and a marking point at the other end, to allow one tool to do both. G+ $45



Antique Tool Antique Tool Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME11091 North Union Shaker Colony This is a pair of tools that are were reputedly made and used at the North Union Shaker colony in what is now Shaker Heights, Ohio. They are both dated, but not marked, which is consistent with what we would expect of Shaker tools made for there own use. First is a 22" long log rule dated 1843 on both ends, and in superb untouched condition. The second is clapboard gauge, dated 1840, showing more used but also as found and quite nice. Both of these tools are museum quality. Fine & G+ $795



Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME11098 Darling, Brown, & Sharpe, Providence R.I. A rare 3" caliper rule that was probably used in the Remington Arms Factory. The owner's initials are superbly engraved, "A C L". The last letter might be an S. I am not good with highly stylized engraving. Below that it is stamped Ilion N.Y. with a stamp that I believe was a stamp used by Remington to mark gun barrels. The engraved side rates fine, the opposite side is more like G+. The tools is nickel plated, and the nickel has an unven surface on the one side. I am not aware that DB&S nickel plated tools, but Remington certainly nickel plated guns. I wonder if the tool was plated at the Remington factory. $285



Antique Tool

ME110847 Masterpiece Surface Gauge This is a craftsman made surface gauge where the adjustable arm is in the form of a woman. I have never seen a machinists tool of any kind, portraying a woman's body, where the proportions and form were more accurately or elegantly executed. This tool was made by a man who really knew women, and was a true artist. In short a masterpiece example. The base and top are also wonderfully formed with a very elegantly molded base and an acorn finial. The very tip of the acorn is a bit rough and it is possible that the very tip of the acorn is damaged. The tool is nickel plated, with some light wear to the nickel from honest use. Stands 12 1/2" high. A true folk art masterpiece. Fine $1995



Antique Tool Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME110814 W. H. Hill, Cambridge Springs, PA Patented March 21, 1905. A very unusual inclinometer. I have seen one ofther of these and it was mounted on a generic piece of wood. This one came in not mounted at all. I have now confirmed that these were sold in a box, to be mounted yourself. They are quite scarce. G+ Sold



Antique Tool

ME110713 E. Preston & Sons A 24" boxwood shrink rule for iron and brass. NIce patina, but there is a big chip at one end, a lengthwise crack of about 8 inches, and some kind of varnish on it. Still an attractive piece. Good $25



Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME110671 J. Rabone & Sons, Makers A rope gauge with lovely patina and 98% original lacquer on its brass. A superb example. Nicely waxed and with a collector's sticker on it from the Paul Kettle collection. Fine- $89



Antique Tool

ME110672 A Ridge & Sons, Sheffield An apprently unused beech marking gauge with an original decale on the head. Superb. Fine $47



Antique Tool

ME110628 Ideal Tool Co, Rochester, NY A machinist's indicator. Not a dial indicator, but one that used a needle on a scale from 0 ro 10. In the original box with the original instructions. G++ $45



Antique Tool

ME110642 I. Sorby, Sheffield A good rosewood morticing gauge with the punch logo. The pins are tall and the brass is crisp with nice patina and original lacquer. The tool needs a light cleaning with wax and cloth, but it will rate better than G+ Sold



Antique Tool

ME110651 Wm. Marples & Sons, Sheffield A nice pair of bronze saddle templates, 4 1/2" and 6". Both are as found with nice color. I got them together, but since they have different logos, I would not swear to their being together since new. Either way, a great working pair. G++ $65



Antique Tool

ME110611 L. S. Starrett A number 15 bevel, apparently unused, in the original box. This is a small bevel with a blade that has a square built into it. I would guess from the box that it is pre-war. Really superb. Fine- $65



Antique Tool

ME110614 Unmarked American Bevel Square A really nice as found 9 1/2" New England made 19th Century bevel square with a nicely figured rosewood stock. The blade retains better than 90% of the original bluing. The brass is very crisp and the wood retains is polished finish. In short, a superb old tool. G++ $69



Antique Tool

ME110555 Illegible A crisp and little used rosewood morticing gauge. The mark on this piece was not well struck and all that I can read is Works, Sheffield. The pins are full original height and it seems to have had very little wear. This is better than any new gauge for less money. I can't explain that, but that is how it is with old tools. G++ $49



Antique Tool

ME110538 L. S. Starrett Number 98 Level A 12" level in the original box. The level is in superb condition and the box is nice. I am not sure on the date of this box, but I think that it is pre-War. A really lovely example. Fine $125



Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME11055 William Slater, Bolton A complex boxwood rule that was made for engineers setting up spinning machinery. William Slater was the inventor and they were made by a few different manufacturers. This one is not maker marked. It is a 24", two fold rule with a brass slide-rule. A lovely example that has never been buffed or cleaned in any way with a great patina on both the brass and boxwood. G++ $265



Antique Tool

ME11058 General A number 18 protractor gauge. Made in the USA and probably from the 1960s. A nice quality tool. G++ $15



Antique Tool

ME110456 Patent Bevel Square A very unusual bevel square with two blades, one 10" and one 5 1/2". Walnut stock with blued steel blades retaining most of the original finish. Marked only Patent Apld. G++ $145



Antique Tool

ME110457 Slater & Eldridge Co, Phila A very unusual mitre square, being set at 50 degrees. I have no idea why and I have never seen another example like it. The maker is also very rare. The mark is not super clear, but I can make it out. It looks like a typical Philadelphia mitre square until you check the angle. The blade is 8 inches across the top. The blade has some pitting on one side, near the end. This is mostly on just one side, as shown in the photo. The brass has a nice patina. This tool has only been properly waxed by a collector. For the advanced Philadelphia collector. Good $185



Antique Tool

ME110468 Marsden Brothers, Bridge St. Works, Sheffield A 9" rosewood level with brass face. The rosewood is fine with all its original finish and nice grain. The brass top has been hand polished, which held the condition down a grade. If that doesn't bother you, this is a super piece. G++ $95



Antique Tool

ME110434 Starrett 50th Anniversary Catalogue 1930 384 pages of the finest American made machinist's tools. Printed on the back, Elizabeth Hardware Co, 137 New Brunswick Ave, Perth Amboy, N.J. Not stamped, but actually printed for this company. G++ $45



Antique Tool

ME110436 J. Watts, Boston A boxwood morticing gauge by a rare Boston maker. It has seen some use, and the brass has been polished. There is also a hang hole in the shaft. It is still usable with plenty of the pins left, but such a rare gauge belongs with a collector. Good $149



Antique Tool

ME110441 Craftsman Made Trammels A superb pair of cabinetmaker's trammels with a pencil holder, in untouched condtion on the original beam. The beam is marked J Gellan and the brass pencil holder is engraved J G. The beam is mahogany but I am not sure about the trammels and the wedges, maybe satinwood, but with the heavy patina I can't tell. The beam is 16 inches and the trammels are 2 5/8" high. These are connoisseur grade all the way. Fine- $195



Antique Tool

ME110449 P. L. Fox Pat. Oct 2, '88. This is a combination square and bevel. In my personal experience this is a rare tool. This one shows wear but no abuse. The blade has been cleaned and shows very light pitting overall, but the mark is still clearly legible. A good honest example. I saw a similar one sell recently at auction for much more. G+ $275



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ME110415 Young & Stoudinger, New York This is a precision measuring tool of a form that I have not seen before. It has been in my collection for 20 years waiting for me to find out more about it, but I haven't. It looks to be very well made, and probably mid-19th Century. I have found nothing out about the maker. The tool is a sort of combination protractor and depth gauge. The protractor only goes from 45 degrees to 90 degrees, with solid stops. The style of marking has a European look to it, but it is graduated in inches and was presumably made in New York. It is very finely made, to scientific instrument standards. Highly recommended. G+ $995



Antique Tool

ME110379 J. Rabone & Sons No. 1379 A 4 fold 24" boxwood rule in nice untouched condition. This is one with nice large numbers for those of us who's near visiion is no longer what it once was. Crisp and tight. G++ Sold



Antique Tool

ME110360 N. Crapper, Wicker A unique in my experience potter's boxwood single-fold shrink rule for clay. Nice as found condition. I am not sure if the maker has any connection to the famous crapper who pioneered the flush toilet. G+ $395



Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME110321 Nelson & Hubbard A very nice as found 9 1/2" bevel by a scarce American maker. The fittings on this piece have great patina, the wood still has original finish, and it has the trademark decorative inlay on the stock. This is the condition I like, fresh to market with only honest wear. G+ $119



Antique Tool

ME110292 John Rabone & Sons, Makers, Birmingham A superb untouched 12" mahogany level that has some minor tool box marks, but essentially retains all of its original finish. The brass trim crisp and untouched and retains the orignal surface left from its production. Finding a British tool in this condition is a rare find. You almost need to asign a guard to the brass to keep them from polishing it. G++ $95



Antique Tool

ME110270 Handwrought Dividers A particularly nice set of early American dividers with elegant file work. Measuring about 14 1/2" overall. Nice patina. These are from my collection and stand out to me as an exceptional example of the form. Fine $159



Antique Tool

ME110161 The Chapin-Stephens Co. An exceptional example of the classic 036 inclimoter rule. The steel rule is clean and fine. The boxwood retains most of its original finish, and the brass has much original lacquer. This is a top-tier example of this classic tool. G++ $189



Antique Tool

ME101241 W. H. Clay, Sheffield A very clean 7 1/2" cabinetmaker's square. This is 20th Century tool, but it still has the fancy escutcheon that was tricky to do and required a lot of hand fitting. This tool needs a light cleaning with wax, but I think that afterwards it will rate Fine- $45



Antique Tool

ME9023 W. & L. E. Gurley This is a Gurley sighting level in the original fitted mahogany box with the original maker's label in the lid. This is a very genuine as found example that has never been polished or otherwise molested. This is the condition that I am proud to own. This it the last of the tools from the level collection that we have been selling. G++ $165



Antique Tool

ME101216 Melhuish, Fetter Lane A classic brass framed English bevel, probably by Wm. Marples. The infill is rosewood. 7 1/2" size. I see so many of these that are buffed to death, but I can count on one hand how many I have seen with nice patina like this one. Used, but not abused, and nicely waxed by a discerning collector. A real gem. G+ $135



Antique Tool

ME101155 J. Stevens A & T Co, Chicopee Falls Mass USA A rare fine adjust inside calipers by the famous gun maker, which also made precision tools. They measure just over 3 inches in height. Superb quality consistent with fine arms making. Lovely original surface. G++ $95



Antique Tool

ME101145 Henry Disston & Sons, Phila, USA A Disston patent square, where the blade is all one piece, and the stocks are really just rivetted to the blade. Graduated to 6 inches over the entire length. Nice as found conditon. G+ $59



Antique Tool

ME101058 G. Buck, Googe St. London A nearly unused beech marking gauge. This tool is bright and clean like new, with a full orginal pin. There are some light dings on the bottom of the head, but otherwise this tool is really crisp. That expression is so overused, but it really applies this time. Fine- $48



Antique Tool

ME101011 Unmarked Rule A lovely polished boxwood 24" rule with brass tips. Wonderful color and as found. I don't know the purpose of this rule, but it is clearly some kind of pattern maker's rule. It is marked on one side "contraction", and on the other side "standard", in other words a shrinkage rule. The part that I do not understand is the tables that are on the "standard" side. An intriguing piece and highly recommended. G++ $129



Antique Tool

ME100853 Unmarked The largest fancy Scottish style level that I have seen. The rosewood body is 18" long and 1 5/8" wide. It has a dovetailed mahogany box that was purpose made by the original owner. Sadly, the brass on the top has been hand polished. The brass on the bottom has a lovely patina and is just how you like to see. A rare level of fine form. From a fine Glasgow collection. Highly recommended. G+ $495



Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME100822 Drafting Set A most unusual traveling drafting set in a leather roll. The roll is nearly marked by the original owner, C.C. Clifford. All of the tools look unused, but there is some minor surface rust on some, the inevitable of storage in a leather roll. You will notice that we don't sell leather chisel rolls. This is why. An exceptionally nice little set, and highly recommended. I have never seen one like it before. It may be first word war vintage, or a bit older. Grear quality. G++ $119



Antique Tool

ME100830 Engraved and Dated Level A 12" rosewood stocked level that has been engraved "J. Reid, 1869" with floral decoration. Beautifully done. The level shows honest wear from use and the brass has been hand polished. Good $175



Antique Tool

ME100658 Wood's Pat. Level by Tower & Lyon This is a Wood's patent sighting level with the pop up sights, that retains its original label on the side. It is 26in size. It has some tool box marks but it is as found and unmolested. There can't be too many of these that still have the label on the side. G+ $189



Antique Tool

ME100635 Wm. Marples A 9 inch figured rosewood level. The brass has been polished, but if you don't mind polished brass, this is a superb level with nice original finish on the wood. G+ $85



Antique Tool

ME10066 Engraved and Dated Level An 11 inch rosewood level with a brass top that has been nicely engraved with flowers, and the name T. Riley, 1885. The brass has been hand polished on the top. A lovely documentary piece. G+ $229



Antique Tool

ME100540 Driver's Rule Works, Manchester An unusual 18" by 24" folding boxwood square by a maker that I have never heard of. There is one tiny chip around one of the pin holes where it was probably closed with the pin not being properly aligned. Other than that it would rate Fine. A lovely piece. G++ $159



Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME100514 Winslow's Pat Adjustable Marking Gauge A clean honest example of this rare gauge in used but cared for condition. Totally as found, just like I like to get them. G+ $365



Antique Tool

ME100480 Sholl Pat Gauge This is a crisp as sound example of the 4 stem rosewood gauge. The brass trim still has much of the original lacquer on it. There is an old repair to the head, where it piece was chipped off and glued back on. Of of those "Oh S..." moments I am sure. Anyway, you will hardly notice this and the price is a steal. G+ $195



Antique Tool

ME100433 Rota-Meter Map Distance Measuring Tool I can't remember the proper name for this tool, a sign of my age. I am sure somebody will tell me. The dial is in feet and inches. It has a horn handle and measures 4 5/8" overall. English and presumably from around 1900. Perfect as found condition. Fine $149



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ME100218 Pocket Scales This is an 18th Century set of pocket scales, complete, in the original metal box. They are sa found, with nice patina on the brass, nice rust free patina on the scales. The case was fitted for two weights, both of which are still there. They are marked with a lion symbol. There is also a later Victorian weight in the box. The box retains the original coarse cloth on the botoom and paper in the lid. The exterior paint is about 70% with the remainder pleasantly patinated. One of the best examples that I have seen. G++ $229



Antique Tool

ME100151 D. M. Lyon & Clearman A nice untouched rosewood morticing gauge by a rare New Jersey partnership. In 25 years this is the first example of this maker that I have found and I must assume that it is quite scarce. One pin is a bit shorter than the other, but both are a decent length. Shows only moderate wear. G+ $165



Antique Tool

ME91229 French Cooper's Dividers This is a classic French wooden coopers dividers, in nice collector's condition. There are some old worm holes, but not too many, that are filled with wax. This is a very nice example with no problems. They stand 13 inches high and 13 inches across the screw. One of those iconic tools that ever serious collector must have an example of. G+ $345



Antique Tool

ME91149 American Patent Sighting Level This is a well known patented American sighting level, but it is not marked and I can't remember the maker. It is one that Don Rosebrook knows about and has cataloged. I priced it cheap to save me the hassle of looking it up. Nice clean as found condition, it still has the original price of $1.75 on the end, along with a price code. Great patina on the brass trim. The 12" long body is laminated cherry. A very nice example. G+ $145



Antique Tool Antique Tool

ME91025 C.S. Bailey, Bristol This is a 12" four fold ivory rule by a relatively scarce maker. If only Jane's book was out already we could easily learn more about this maker. The sides are also graduated with scales for 1", 3/4", 1/2", and 1/4". I presume that this was for drawing to scale. It is engraved for a former owner, one F. Clarke. One of the indexing pins is missing, as they often are. A nice clean as found ivory rule. G++ $275



Antique Tool

ME9107 Unmarked Bevel Gauge I can firmly attribute this gauge to Disston & Morss, but like many other examples that I have seen, this one is also not marked. It is very dry. The blade retains much of the original bluing, but with some light surface rust. It is totally as found and will look great with just a gentle waxing. G+ $35



Antique Tool

ME90722 Dividers This is a 4 1/2" high pair of decorative german silver dividers that probaly were originally in a fancy gentleman's travelling drafting set, the kind that would have come in a silver or shagreen etoui. Superb detailing. Fine $165



Antique Tool

ME90224 Hall & Knapp This is a six inch cabinetmaker's square in very nice unmolested condition. The blade looks like it has been lightly cleaned but the wood and brass are untouched. The wood has most of its original finish and a nice crisp mark with the American eagle and "Warranted Spring Temper". Marked American squares are not common and this is a great example by an important maker. G+ $119



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ME90140 F. Curtis, Stockbridge, Mass. This is a boxwood mortising gauge by an extraordinarily rare American maker. It is as found and needs a bit of work. It has brass plates on the top and bottom, and some of the brass pins that hold them on need to be reset. The head is also plated and a fool has put dent in the head resetting the pins. The head is currently on backwards. The boxwood is untouched. There is a small chip near the thumbscrew. The knurling is very fancy, althought it shows wear. The pins are nearly worn out. This can be carefully restored to be a nice example of a rare maker's work. Good $129



Antique Tool

ME81021 Turner, Routledge, & Co. Liverpool This is an unusual caliper rule of unknown purpose. (Update: A customer has told me that this tool is for measuring wood screws.) It is boxwood and measures 4 inches when closed. The central sliding piece is padded with cloth. I have shown this piece to a number of leading experts and none has offered a conclusive explanation of its function. Oddly, if you open it and measure an object, the size is not equal to what the rule reads, so its use must have been more subtle that it would at first appear. A very intriquing piece in wonderful condition. Fine $95



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ME81019 Architect's Rule This is an unused old boxwood architect's 4 fold rule. It is only marled, "Warranted Best Box". It is missing one pin but this rule is as crisp and new as they come. The one end joint is graduated as inclinometer. Truly as if it was vacuum packed for 100 years. Mint $145



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ME80835 Early Calipers This is superb early calipers. They have the large facetted head with a double leaf joint that is associated with 17th and 18th Century examples. These are not marked but they are in superb original condition and are as nice an example as one could want. The detailing is wonderful. They are brass with steel or iron tips keyed into the brass arms. Highly recommended. G++ $695



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ME80839 Plumb Bob This is a big and beautiful turnip shape plumb bob, weighing in at over 3 pounds and measuring 5" high by 2 1/2" diameter. Wow! G+ $345



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ME8087 Depth Gauge This is a particularly finely made craftman made tool. It has a shapely bronze slide on a steel piece which is not graduated. This is a 19th Century tool which shows craftsmanship at its very finest. The bronze head is 7" across. G+ $159



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ME80557 Ivory/Bone Comparator Rule This is a four fold rule, just over 12 inches long, that is graduated in 4 different scales. It is marked "Holland", "Rhienland", and "metre". The fourth scale, which is slightly smaller than our inches, is not marked. As if that one would be known. It is a well made ivory rule, but I don't see any maker's mark. It shows signs of honest wear, but the ivory is still quite light and is not yellowing. It might actually be bone as one can see a bit more grain in the material than is typical of ivory. A nice example of a scarce type of rule. Good $189



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ME71257 Dancing Leg Calipers This is a nicely made pair of dancing leg calipers that are neatly marked by the maker, F. Miller. Measuring just under 3 inches, this is a small but elegant set of dividers. G++ $185



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ME71240 C. Sholl This is the 4 stem rosewood version of this famous patented gauge. This one is in nice as found condition with only light tool box wear and only light wear from useage. If you want one nice example for your collection, this could be it. G+ $295



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ME71218 S. A. Jones, Hartford, Ct This is a 6" cabinetmaker's square by a scarce early American maker. S.A Jones was perhaps the first maker to make this style of square in this country. The square is a virgin find and is untouched. The blade has light rust overall. The rosewood stock has the usual tool box marks, but has perhaps a bit less of that than most. This is a useable example or a good collector's piece. Good $58



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ME70921 I&D Smallwood This is an advertising rule for the I&D Smallwood factory of Birmingham, one of the last makers of fine rules and levels in Britain to finally succumb to the march towards mediocrity that we are all on. This rule looks like it is mid 20th Century. A nice graphic piece of advertising and a functional 12" rule as well. Fine $85



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ME70725 John Dobie & Co., Glasgow This is a nice 12" four fold ivory rule. Scottish marked ivory rules are quite scarce. Since Dobie was a plane maker there is a good chance that this rule was made by another company, such as Rabone, but marked for Dobie. It is hard to say now, but I can say that this is a very nice, clean rule. The inside is of couse bright white and crisp. The outside shows some wear, but only the very lightest. It is very nice. There is one tiny chips in the ivory at the hinge were the ivory is so thin because of the hinge leaves. These can be seen in the photo and really are negligible. G++ $239



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ME70439 J. Long, London This is an 18 inch dual slide customs slide rule. This rule could pass for 18th Century but J. Long was an early 19th Century London scientific instrument maker. The boxwood has lovely color and this rule is very pleasing visually and tactily. There is big chip at the end of one slide. and some staining, but overall it is still quite a nice example that I would be happy to put in my collection. G+ $245



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ME70343 Decorative Trammels I have never seen any trammels before quite like these. They have a very pronounced decorative chamfering. The beam is mahogany, but I am not sure about the heads. One point is broken off. They are as found and would benefit from a waxing. A superb example of the artistic expression of the workman as expressed in his own tools. Good $99


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