Posted 9 years ago
FireVet66
(1 item)
Purchased ruler from EBay as a gift for a lifelong friend who is a master carpenter, whom I'm sure will quiz me as to it's history. EBay item description was very vague, but from looking at pictures on-line, it looks like it might be a #32 Stanley. It's 3" closed and 12" open, 1" wide, plus the 3" caliper. The only problem is there are no measuring lines on the back side. Either worn off, or never there at all. No markings as to type or manufacturer whatsoever. Only mark is found under the caliper printed on the wood "79"; and also printed on the end of the caliper "79". Any help in identifying either/or the make and circa year would be helpful, but not a game changer. It's unique and will make a nice little Christmas gift just the same. Thanks.
This is an early model 32. Between 1910 and 1912 a minor change was made in the shape of the arch joint plates , to reduce manufacturing cost. The original joint profile had a sharp corner at the point where the circular curve met the straight edge, and required hand work to clean out this corner when cutting the rabbets in the legs. The new shape, a modified ogee, had no such corner, and could be cut completely by machinery. * From Phil Stanlet book.
As for the number on the body and slide. "Prior to separating the body and slide to graduate them, they were marked, so that each slide could be reunited later with the body it had originally been fitted to. This was done with a number stamped on the back of the slide and an identical number stamped on the inside of the groove. Each rule/slide in a lot would have a different number, thus making identification simple."
Upon closer examination I notice this is "Brass Bound" the is brass on all the edge which actually makes this a 32 1/2.
Thanks for the info Whittler. It cleaned up really well and is going to make a great gift (see new pics, above). Now I'll be prepared for my quiz on vintage rules :)
Any idea why there are no graduation lines or numbers on the back side of the rule & caliper. This is unique to any Stanley 32 1/2 if seen. I've looked closely with a magnifying glass, and I don't think they were ever there.
That is called "pocket wear" it is well used. If you look at the brass on the inside, at the main hinge, they are relatively sharp edges. On the outside there are rounded over from years of being carried on the job. Brass is a softer metal but it took years. The wood as well probably wore away after the years. They did not have comfort cloths back in day, so it is possibly all "pocket wear." Also compare the front of the caliper to the back. It must have been owned by a real hard worker.