Stanley Folding Rule with Caliper

Stanley Folding Rule with Caliper

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Description
This four-fold boxwood rule has a brass arch joint at the center and two brass hinges. Unfolded, it measures 31.2 cm W x 1.2 cm D x 0.5 cm H. Both sides are marked: No 32. The scales on both sides are numbered by ones from 11 to 1. On one side, the rule is divided to 1/16" along the top edge and to 1/12" along the bottom edge.
The other side is divided to 1/8" along the top edge and to 1/10" along the bottom edge. A brass caliper slides out from the right end of the rule. Both sides are divided to 1/16" and marked: 1, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4. The underside and the slot in the rule are also marked: 58. The divisions are all roughly made; the instrument does not appear to be machine-divided.
The Stanley Rule & Level Company of New Britain, Conn., offered model number 32 from 1859 to 1941. The shape of caliper jaw found on this instrument was introduced between 1888 and 1892. An illustration from a 1919 Stanley catalog indicates that the company name was stamped on the ruler by that time. A similar folding pocket rule with caliper is advertised as model number 1752 in Catalog of Eugene Dietzgen Co., 7th ed. (Chicago, 1904), 167. Its price was 60¢. The Department of Entomology at the National Museum of Natural History used this rule to study its collections.
Reference: Philip E. Stanley, Boxwood & Ivory: Stanley Traditional Rules, 1855–1975 (Westborough, Mass.: Stanley Publishing Company, 1984), 95–96.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
rule
scale rule, folding, with caliper
date made
ca 1892
maker
Stanley Works
place made
United States: Connecticut, New Britain
Physical Description
brass (overall material)
boxwood (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 1 cm x 8.6 cm x 2.8 cm; 13/32 in x 3 3/8 in x 1 3/32 in
ID Number
1990.0099.01
accession number
1990.0099
catalog number
1990.0099.01
Credit Line
Transfer from National Museum of Natural History, Department of Entomology
subject
Mathematics
Rule, Measuring
Carpentry
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Scale Rules
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

I have the six inch version of that but no model inscribed on it . The difference on mine is the # s in inches go down starting at the caliper end. Would be very odd to have the inches start in reverse. This puzzles me.

Charlie Sytsma

Fri, 2019-03-08 08:51

When the graduations read left to right (0...1...2...3...), this is called English markings. American rulemakers such as Stanley produced many of their established rules with English versions, typically by adding an "E" at the end of the model number i.e. No. 62E.

Steve Nelson

Wed, 2019-05-15 07:59

I have a nice Winchester W 32 boxwood and brass 4 folding Made in the USA Warranted with Caliper and shaped liked the picture 1888-1892. Works fine. I used it today. Maybe I should put it away.

Scotty Baker

Thu, 2018-03-22 10:19

"I have a folding rule that is identical to the Stanley 32 that is marked with the Craftsman logo. Did Stanley make these rules for Sears Roebuck? If so, what year(s)?"

Paul Davini

Sat, 2015-06-06 22:59

You may wish to attempt to consult Sears Roebuck catalogs. A list of where these are available on microfilm is available at: http://www.searsarchives.com/catalogs/questions/findcatalogs.htm.

National Museum of American History

Tue, 2015-06-30 14:43

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