Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: sushimonster on October 18, 2011, 05:30:12 AM

Title: Help needed! What's this rule called and who made it?
Post by: sushimonster on October 18, 2011, 05:30:12 AM

Hi There.

A newbie here, needing some help. I have a 'brewers' rule that I can't find out much about.

Pics here: http://www.biggerbids.com/auction-image-gallery.php?auction_id=355647&image_id=2569980 (http://www.biggerbids.com/auction-image-gallery.php?auction_id=355647&image_id=2569980)

Here's what I think I know: As well as various scales on all 4 sides, it has names of types of alcohol on it - Beer, Wine etc. It also has lots of names which I think could be sizes of barrels - Firkin, Kilderkin, Hogshead etc?

Here's what I don't know:

a) What it is. Is this what they call a gauging rule or a wantage rule or both or something else?

b) Who made it and therefore when it dates from? The last photo in the gallery shows what I believe could be the makers name. It's difficult to make out, even with a Jewellers Loupe on 60x, but to me it looks like BALE & WORTH, or DALE & WORTH, or perhaps the & is an S - DALESWORTH etc? Anyone recognise this name? I can't find anything on any of these combinations. To me,  the numering and lettering look early to mid 19th century at the least, but I would welcome any advice on dates.

Hoping someone can help,

sushimonster.

Title: Re: Help needed! What's this rule called and who made it?
Post by: Branson on October 18, 2011, 06:29:56 AM

It's a folding wantage rule, and a nice score.  There's one at the Davistown Museum, and some information as well.

http://www.mainememory.net/artifact/9901/

Firkin, hogshead, etc are barrel sizes.  This tool measures the volume of liquid in a barrel, like a dip stick.  With the barrel on its side, the rule is thrust through the bung hole with the thin side of the end parallel to the length of the barrel so the tip sits flat on the curve.   The measurements on the rule determine the actual volume of liquid in the barrel.

The listing of sizes suggests to me that the sizes had been more or less standardized by the time of manufacture, eliminating the need for calculating from the dimensions of the individual barrel (one cooper's firkin, while a similar size to a firkin made elsewhere probably only held a *similar* volume) as had to be done in the 1700s.  Sizes were approximations, and one of the earliest wantage rods looks more like a slide rule.

I couldn't find the manufacturer, but I did find that Stanley made wantage rules,  and I know brewers who still use them.

Title: Re: Help needed! What's this rule called and who made it?
Post by: sushimonster on October 19, 2011, 05:14:27 AM

Branson: Thanks so much for your help with this.

The name still remains ellusive, but you've confirmed a lot of things I was unsure about.

Thanks once again for taking the time to share your knowledge.

:-)

Title: Re: Help needed! What's this rule called and who made it?
Post by: Branson on October 19, 2011, 07:54:23 AM

Quote from: sushimonster on October 19, 2011, 05:14:27 AM

Branson: Thanks so much for your help with this.

The name still remains ellusive, but you've confirmed a lot of things I was unsure about.

Thanks once again for taking the time to share your knowledge.

:-)

My pleasure.  A lot of the value of information is in the sharing.

Title: Re: Help needed! What's this rule called and who made it?
Post by: BruceS on October 19, 2011, 11:40:06 AM

Now if I had a Hogshead of Dalmor 62 or Glen Fiddish I would be willing to test your rule for accuracy.

Title: Re: Help needed! What's this rule called and who made it?
Post by: Lewill2 on October 20, 2011, 06:24:08 AM

You could try to do a search for David Stanley and Tony Murland tool auctions and contact them about the rule. They are big in International Tool Auctions. I believe they are both in the UK.

Title: Re: Help needed! What's this rule called and who made it?
Post by: Papaw on October 20, 2011, 08:07:34 AM

Murland- http://www.antiquetools.co.uk/about.php (http://www.antiquetools.co.uk/about.php)

Stanley- http://www.davidstanley.com/ (http://www.davidstanley.com/)