Boxwood Inland Revenue measuring rods 50” Dring & Fage Tooley St. c1868

Description: A set of measuring rods comprising of 5 screw together sections. The first being brass with a domed point and the remaining four being boxwood with brass ends. The rods fit into their original leather case which also contains a brass base plate. (Note: The leather case would have contained a gauging slide rule which is missing). Rods are stamped ‘Dring & Fage Makers Tooley St. London’ and with a  ‘I crown R’ symbol (Inland Revenue) The base plate also has the ‘I crown R’ mark. Leather pouch flap has a royal coat of arms and ‘Inland Revenue’.

The rods were made by Dring and Fage whose address is given as Tooley Street London. They were in this street but at different numbers for much of the 19th century. However the rods are embossed with the symbol of the Inland Revenue. The Board of Excise, responsible for duties on alcohol, was merged with the Inland Revenue in 1849, so the rods are post 1849. In 1883 the company moved to The Strand. The rods are thus pre 1883. 

Hopp says, p66, that they made an Excise Officers rule in 1868 so the rule is probably of around this date.

The set of rods was able to measure up to 50 inches. The rods can be screwed together and when this as done the alignment is very accurate. There is also a brass plate which a rod can be screwed into but also a hole through which the rods can pass. The rods and plate are in a leather carrying case.

These are scarce.

Dimensions Cased: 28cms x 10cms x 3cms
Weight: 510gms
Condition: Rods are excellent with good patina and screw threads. Base plate good. Leather pouch is missing a flap that would cover the rods. Stitching is missing from gauging rule pouch. Leather is dry but supple.