Hat Size Ruler

[lptools]

Hello, Forgot I had this. It is a Hat Size Ruler. On the back is a chart for Size/Head/Hat. The edge is stamped Roberts, Cushman & Co. New York. I believe these are found with different edge stamps, made to order. Just wondering who offered , or manufactured these??? Thanks, Lou

[gibsontool]

Sorry, can't help with ID. It's the first one I've ever seen.

[amecks]

Lou, this is interesting - NY Times Dec 9, 1890 - "IN AND ABOUT THE CITY; FAILURES IN THE HAT TRADE. H.M. SILVERMAN & CO. AND ROBERTS, CUSHMAN & CO. GO UNDER."
https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1890/12/09/103285262.pdf

But, to paraphrase Mark Twain, "the reports of their bankruptcy have been greatly exagerrated", as there was another company registered from 1971 to 2007.

I suspect that they did go bankrupt but were enough of a company to continue under the new ownership.  They probably closed their doors eventually but were known well enough in the trade to make someone want to resurrect the name in 1971.  Totally guessing here - more research needed.

[lptools]

Hello, Al. Thanks for the article, interesting story. Seems like lawyers were speaking their own language, even back then. Interesting to see that Bradstreet was in business back then, I have only seen the name as Dunn & Bradstreet. Regards, Lou

[Bill Houghton]

Anyone know how these work?  Heads, and hats, need two dimensions for size.

[lptools]

Hello, Bill. I will give you an example of what is printed on the scale, that is about all I know. Size 7   Head 21-5/8   Hat 22-5/8. Regards, Lou

[turnnut]

 the clothier would most likely use a cloth tape measure to get your head size and use that as a reference to the size, just as you
would on a 6 inch steel scale with decimal / fraction information.

 years ago, tailor's carried pencil, white pencil, scissors and a cloth tape measure in their pocket.   

[Bill Houghton]

Hello, Bill. I will give you an example of what is printed on the scale, that is about all I know. Size 7   Head 21-5/8   Hat 22-5/8. Regards, Lou

Ah.  Thanks.  So perhaps more of a reference table printed on a general-purpose rule, like the handy tables* on the back of the sheet metal worker's rules in my shop.

*Capacity of various sizes of various shapes of containers and that sort of thing.

[john k]

I know my hat size, and just took a metal tape measure, measured just above the ears, (no, not pointed).   Measures 23-7/8,  and wear a 7-3/4 Cap.   Interesting. 

[lptools]

Hello, John. That matches what is on the scale of the ruler. Size 7-3/4  Head 23-7/8  Hat 24-7/8 .  Regards, Lou

[lptools]

Hello, Bill. I believe the ruler is specific to the hat trade, although it would be handy for inside measurements from 5" to 9".  The wood body is exactly 5" long, and the graduations on the wood read from the open brass end. The brass slide reads from 5" to 9". With the slide extended ,the graduations on the slide include the length of the wood body. All of this seems to co-incide with the scales on the back, which start at 5-7/8 and end at 8. In the photo the slide is exactly 2" from the body, so it is reading 7". Regards, Lou

[turnnut]

probably used by a hat maker to measure out material to make the hat.

if a customer wanted a 7 3/4 hat, he would check his trusty ruler.