Replies

1. 
   MarkRD | Mar 27, 2005 07:48pm | #1

   I'm guessing that studs used to be set 24" on center - that might explain one side of the ruler.

   The 1.2" divisions (10 divisions per foot) - 10ths of a foot. How it was used? can't say.

   Mark

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

2. 
   cowtown | Mar 28, 2005 02:46am | #2

   there ain't no simple answer to yer question. And yes I know that sounds stupid, but

   If the rule is a real old one, maybe about 150 years, even if both scales are marked in inches, the scales might be any one of about a dozen different "inch" scales in use.

   It could be a patternmakers shrink rule, at least on one scale, used when the patternmaker had to make a wooden master pattern to stick into the casting sand, and metal, as we all know, shrinks when cooled, so a patternmakers rule was oftentimes labelled not in the actual inches, but rather in the inches resulting when the metal cooled. Look for something like "SH" stamped on the rule or perhaps some metal name,...iron brass etc.

   those are the most commmon variances from current knowledge that come to mind, but also worth noting is that rule manufacturers also made "special" rules when clients requested it (try that now!). EG.Circumference rules were wrapped around cylinders and read off the diameter on the scale.

   There's a whole universe of rule collectors and historians out there who can help solve yer mystery perhaps more intelligently than I, and if you got any markings, mfg, ID #'s on the rule that would help immensely.

   The answer to your mystery may be close at hand.

   Eric
   in Calgary

1. 
   2wheelz | Mar 28, 2005 05:14pm | #3

   I didn't think about pattern making.  That makes sense.  There are no markings to indicate a material but it is a Lufkin no. 881D.

1. 
   cowtown | Mar 29, 2005 07:44am | #4

   my lfkin catalog is 50ish vintage, no 881D listed, but that "D" suffix was used on metal shrink rules that allowed 3/32 shrinkage. Does that work with your example. Eric
   in Calgary