I always have an eye out for beautiful antique rulers of various sorts, but had never come across one of these before (and can't find an exact match for this one out there now)--providing weights for wire and hemp rope based on diameter and circumference and thus useful for determining breaking loads. Late-ish 19th century I believe, this one was produced by Kerby and Bros., Fulton Street, NYC, and sold by Sewall & Day Cordage Co., Commercial Street, Boston--the latter which seems to have gone out of business before the end of the 19th century, so it definitely pre-dates that! There are initials stamped on both the front and back of the brass caliper, which I believe would have been done by its owner/s: CIR on the from and DIA on the back. A lovely object I think, boxwood and brass, nd I especially love the curves of those lines separating the parts of the fractions!
8 9/16" x 2 9/16" x 3/16". Some again to the brass especially, but overall good antique condition. The caliper easily slides all the way out and then back in easily.
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