🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Some type of measuring stick or tool?

[nightryder87]

Hello all,

My brother recently purchased this item from a local yard sale. I was thinking it was possibly a swagger stick since it looks too short for a cane but when my brother showed me that it opens up in to two pieces and that the flat parts have marks that are exactly 1 inch apart we are guessing it is some sort of measuring tool. Has anyone ever seen anything like this before? Just trying to get a more accurate ID on this item. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

Reminiscent of a measuring tool in geometry, like compass. But not pointy. Perhaps gross measurements like masonry or rough carpentry. Certainly looks purpose built. Folding ruler

 

[Evan in CA]

Looks like a compass for drawing circles

 

[Red-Coat]

'Carpenter's rule', but with a non-precision measurement scale. The kind of thing a mason or brick-layer might use.

 

[Jatrox]

How long is it?

An ell is a unit of measurement, historically about 22-23 inches from shoulder to wrist, and later fixed at 45 inches in medieval England.

 

[Herb Jones]

hand made wooden dividers..

would have been used by carpenters to transfer dimensions without having to measure, scribe circles of various diameters... cool old find

 

[Retired Sarge]

Looks like the ones our teachers used for drawing circles on the chalkboard.

 

[nightryder87]

How long is it?

An ell is a unit of measurement, historically about 22-23 inches from shoulder to wrist, and later fixed at 45 inches in medieval England.

About 24" closed.

 

[Gene Mean]

Possibly a dip rod. Something I never heard of, although I have one for measuring oil in the oil tank. I call it a measuring stick.

 

[WoodsDigger]

Hello all,

My brother recently purchased this item from a local yard sale. I was thinking it was possibly a swagger stick since it looks too short for a cane but when my brother showed me that it opens up in to two pieces and that the flat parts have marks that are exactly 1 inch apart we are guessing it is some sort of measuring tool. Has anyone ever seen anything like this before? Just trying to get a more accurate ID on this item. Any info would be appreciated.

Reminds me of a log scaler. My grandfather called these idiot sticks.

 

[Gare]

It is called a Folding Ruler

 

[Gare]

Vintage for SURE NICE finding Take good care of it

 

[ARC]

Woodworkers dividers ?

 

[nightryder87]

Reminds me of a log scaler. My grandfather called these idiot sticks.

That was my brother's first thought as well.