Gauging Rod
Gauging Rod
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- Description
- The Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in 1873, prescribed this form of gauging rod for use with spirituous liquors subject to taxation. This ornate example is made of nickel-plated brass and marked “PRIME & MCKEAN / PATD MARCH 31 & JULY 12, 1870 / WASHINGTON, D.C.” and “U.S. STANDARD INT. REV.” and “Wine Gallons.” The whole is contained in a wood box. The form combines the ideas of Eli S. Prime (ca. 1840-1885), a gauger in Baltimore, and Edwin McKean (ca. 1835-1896), then of Nashville. The maker is unknown.
- Ref: Eli S. Prime, “Improvement in Gauge Rods,” U.S. Patent 101,309 (March 29, 1870).
- Edwin R. McKean, “Improvement in Cask Gauging Instrument,” U.S. Patent 105,352 (July 12, 1870).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- Gauging Rod Kit, U.S. Standard
- gauging rod kit
- Date made
- ca. 1870 (patent date)
- Measurements
- assembled: 111.7 cm; 44 in
- box: 2 in x 14 in x 9 3/4 in; 5.08 cm x 35.56 cm x 24.765 cm
- overall; box: 2 1/8 in x 13 15/16 in x 11 5/8 in; 5.3975 cm x 35.40125 cm x 29.5275 cm
- ID Number
- CH.326997
- catalog number
- 326997
- accession number
- 267815
- Credit Line
- Transfer from U.S. Treasury Department Internal Revenue Service
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Chemistry
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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