Antique & Collectible Woodworking Tools
Squares / Rules & Bevels

This is just a sample of the many antique tools we have sold.
Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We Buy Quality Antique Tools
Contact Us at AntiqBuyer@gmail.com

Special Note Concerning Prices Seen Below:
Most prices seen reflect actual sale results from this website.
Prices seen span a long time and may not reflect current values.  Some are selling for more, many now sell for less.
On other pieces you will see no price, or a price range, with or without an explanation.  The reasons for that are discussed on the FAQ page.

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

Stanley Rules

# 7 Stanley Blind Man Rule A very nice Stanley #7.  It is a 2' 4 Fold and is straight and has its pins.  Seldom seen anymore!! 

Fine . . . . . . $75.00        SOLD!

"Sub Grade Rod #218" by L. A. Batham Oakland Cal.   I have never seen or heard of this "Sub Grade Rod" before, and neither has Google. This unusual measurement device is NOS in its case. Google does recognize the maker, and he was Oakland's official draftsman back in the 1920s. He also lived in Chico and applied for the chief engineer job there about the same time. That is all the info I could find. No mention of a patent or reference to this type of device would come up.

I am guessing that Mr. L. A. Batham was sent out to a lot of job sites to measure footings and got tired of bending down to read the tape to see if they were the proper depth. Below the name stamp is a window with a ruler that one would read the depth of the footing or trench - below grade while holding it in the trench and reading the scale while standing erect The total travel range of the two sliding sticks is less than 2 feet. That is about what code here calls for with footings and stem walls. That is my guess anyway.

Fine  . . . . . $125.00          SOLD!!

A. Stanley & Co. 2' 4 Fold Brass Bound Arch Joint Rule Being marked A. Stanley & Co. makes it a  pre Civil War type 1 rule dating from 1854 - 1857.  Meaning before Stanley became Stanley Rule & Level and branched out to making planes and most of the rest of their line of hardware & building supplies. This early A. Stanley Co. ruler is not marked with a model #.  It has architects scales on the inside and its features could make it one of several different #'s.   A rare thing in pretty nice condition.

Good  . . . . . .$495.00       SOLD!!

Stanley # 32 1' 4 Fold Caliper Rule  Nice! 

Fine . . . . . .$40.00   SOLD!!

Stanley # 16 2' 2 Fold Engineers Rule w/ Gunter's Scales & Tables  One of the hardest to find of all Stanley Rules.  John Walters price guides value it at 400 - 800.  Minor staining, but overall nice!!

Good . . . . . .$150.00    SOLD!!     

Stanley # 94 Sweetheart Era Carriage Makers 4' 4 Fold Rule This was Stanley's largest and longest folding rule.  Used but Nice! 

Good + . . . . . .$85.00    SOLD!!

Stanley # 82 2' 4 Fold Rule w/ Board Scales Fine condition w/ original lacquer.  Pins missing.  Straight.  Stanley stopped making this rule in 1917.  Very Nice!!

Fine  . . . . . .$125.00   SOLD!!

Stanley 62 1/2 2' 4 Fold Brass Bound Rule   Sweetheart era.  Very Nice.

Good +. . . . . . $65.00         SOLD!!

Stanley No. 32 1' 4 Fold Caliper Rule  This has a Sweetheart Logo dating it from the 1920s - 1930s.  Very nice!! 

Good + . . . . . . . $40.00     SOLD!!

Stanley 78 1/2 E & M - English / Metric Rule  A hard to find Sweetheart Era Metric rule in fine condition.   Very Nice!

Fine . . . . . $225.00     SOLD!!

Stanley 62 1/2 Brassbound 2' 4 Fold Rule  Same as a 62 rule but skinnier and harder to find.  A very nice example!!

Good + . . . . . $45.00        SOLD!!

Stanley # 94 Carriage Makers 4' 4 Fold Rule This was Stanley's largest and longest folding rule.  Usually found all beat up.  This is real Nice! 

Fine . . . . . .$150.00     SOLD!!

Stanley # 82 2' 4 Fold Boxwood Rule w/ Board Scales  This is a hard to find rule with lumber scales on the inside. (see pics).  Stanley stopped making them in 1917.  It has seen use, but is overall very nice.

Good + . . . . . $125.00    SOLD!!

Stanley # 31 1/2 A 2 Fold 1/16th / ft. Shrink Rule  Very Nice! 

Fine . . . . . .$100.00       SOLD!!

Lufkin Rules

Lufkin #386 (32) 1' 4 Fold Folding Rule  This rule is very nice, and they are getting hard to find.  It is straight has its pins, and has no problems.    

Good + . . . . .$55.00         SOLD!

Lufkin No. 42 Ship Carpenters Ruler w/ 2 Bevels   Very nice condition.  These are getting hard to find in this nice condition. 

Fine  . . . . . $40.00         SOLD!!

Lufkin No. 172 (13 1/2) 6" Boxwood Caliper Rule  This 6" boxwood rule w/ caliper is in very nice overall condition!

Fine . . . . . . . $35.00     SOLD!!

Lufkin No. 863L  2' 4 Fold Boxwood Rule w/ Level & Inclinometer  This unusual folding boxwood rule w/ level is in nice overall condition!  Different

Good + . . . . . . . $45.00             SOLD!!

# 863 L Lufkin Rule / Level & Protractor A very nice rule.  It is like new, straight, and an earlier American made model.  Very nice.

Fine . . . . . .$95.00        SOLD!

2 Lufkin # 388 (32 1/2) 1' 4 Fold Boxwood Rules  These are both very nice with just some discoloration to the brass.  Fully bound these are the equivalent to the Stanley 32 1/2 and Lufkin marked their # 388 rule with that number (32 1/2) as well so nobody would ever get confused.  Nice!!

Good + . . . . . $35.00 / Choice       Both  SOLD!!

Lufkin 986 "DONUT" Tape - Rule This is an unusual and hard to find Lufkin rule.  Different!!

Good  . . . . . $75.00     SOLD!!

Ivory Rules

Ivory Folding / Zig - Zag Rule / Ruler in Green Shagreen Case  Not sure what the measurement is other than it is not Inches, and I do not think it is Metric. Base 12 perhaps. Given the case it is 18th - 19th Century. I believe it is French. A very nice example.

Fine  . . . . . 225.00            SOLD!!

Stanley # 86 1/2 Ivory Architects Rule This is a very nice 2' 4 fold ivory rule.  It is straight and has its pins. The increment are not worn, and the edges are still square and crisp.  It has a nice mellow yellow patina / hue both inside and out.  This is a very nice example of a very hard to find ivory architects rule with its inside being beveled down for use with drawings.  They rarely turn up in this condition any more. 

Good +. . . . . .$650.00       SOLD!

Stanley Rule & Level Co. # 86 1/2  2' 4 Fold Ivory Architects Ruler  One of Stanley's most sought after and interesting ivory rules with its inner beveled inside legs w/ drafting scales.  The overall condition of this near 100 year old ivory architects rule is nice noting some typical yellowing and one leg has a slight bow.  The pins are missing but it closes pretty well, and looks good overall.  These rules were produced from 1884 thru 1917 and then dropped from the Stanley line.  Nice.

Good . . . . . .$295.00

Rabone # 86 1/2 Ivory Architects Rule This is a very nice 2' 4 fold ivory rule.  It is straight and has its pins. The increment are not worn, and the edges are still square and crisp.  It is much whiter than typically seen.  This is a very nice example of a very hard to find ivory architects rule with its inside being beveled down for use with drawings.  They rarely turn up in this condition any more. 

Good +. . . . . . $450.00      SOLD!

Stanley # 39 1' 4 Fold Ivory Rule   Slight pinkish brown staining, but crisp.  Very nice!!

Fine  . . . . .$395.00         SOLD!

Ivory Ironmongers 2 Fold 2' Folding Rule  Rare & Nice!!

Good + . . . . .$995.00         SOLD!

J. Rabone & Sons / Keuffel & Esser 2' 4 Fold Ivory Architects Rule (86 1/2)  This English made Rabone Ivory rule dates from near the turn of the century and is configured similar to a Stanley 86 1/2 Architects Rule with its inside legs being beveled.  The outside scales are in inches and graduated in 8ths, 10ths, 12ths, and 16ths.  There are more scales on the inside ranging from 1/16 - 1'  to 1 1/2 - 1'    It is white, and the name and number stamps are clear.  Double marked rules made for this famous maker of Surveying instruments are much harder to find than the Stanley version  A rare thing in very nice condition.

Fine  . . . . . .$595.00    SOLD!!

J. Rabone & Sons / Maker  2' 4 Fold Ivory Architects / Engineers Rule w/ Routledge Scales   This rare & unusual 2' 4 fold Rabone Ivory rule is in very nice condition. It is inscribed on the top hinge Perry Brown Worcester with the date 1889 incorporated into the top hinge.  I am not sure if that location refers to Worcester Mass or a place in England, or if this was a presentation piece or specially inscribed for other reasons. 

The rule appears to have spent its life inside the protective case and is in exceptional condition.  It shows no wear to the scales or charts on the outside or inside.  It has developed a nice even coloring tone that is very nice.  There are just a couple dirt spots on the inside that will clean if desired. 

The outside of the rule is marked J. Routledge / Engineer.  The layout and info given is similar to that found on other engineers rules or "Iron Monger"  rules by Coggeshall. On the left side are charts having to do with Squares, Cylinders, and Globes for given materials including Gold, Silver, "Old Wine", Water, Mercury, Brass, Copper, Lead, Wt. Iron, Cast Iron, & Tin.  The charts on the right bottom side include info for Steel, Coal, F. Stone, Polygons with from 5 to 12 sides as well as a chart with info about Pumping Engines.   Above that  on the top leg is a Routledge logarithmic slide rule with the scales A, B, C, & D.   This is a very unusual feature in an Ivory or other rule. 

The inside is set up like a Architects rule with beveled scales to the inside edge.  They are scaled to 1/8" =1' to 1' = 1'.   The main 2' scales are laid out in 8ths, 10ths, 12ths, and 16ths,   The thin edges are also scaled.  The top main hinge has a protractor on the inside face and the name and date inscription on the outside.   This is a super rule in super condition that only is found very seldom, and even more so in this condition.  Highly Recommended!!

Fine . . . . .$1950.00         SOLD!

Holtzapffel & Co. 64 Charing Cross London 6" Ivory Rule / Protractor / Sector for Architects / Navigation  This Ivory Rule is marked with the famous English engine, lathe, and tool manufacturer' name Holtzapffel & Co. It is configured similar to a Architects Rule with numerous scales and a protractor on the perimeter. Rules like this are usually found in boxed drafting sets, or traveling Shagreen cases associated with navigation or architects. The overall condition is very nice.

Fine  . . . . . .$125.00            SOLD!!

Antique 1' Folding Ivory Rule  This small antique ivory rule is in nice overall condition!  It is unmarked as to size or maker.  It is marked on 2 faces and not on the inside faces.  An odd variation from the norm.

Good + . . . . . . . $75.00     SOLD!!

W. H. Harling 6" Ivory Rule / Protractor for Architects / Navigation  This English rule is configured similar to a Architects Rule with numerous scales and a protractor on the perimeter.  I have read the scales are navigation related.  Rules like this are usually found in boxed drafting sets, or traveling Shagreen cases associated with navigation or architects.   It is marked with the maker name and location on one face.  The overall condition is very nice. 

Fine  . . . . . .$95.00       SOLD!!

6" Ivory Parallel Rule for Architects / Navigation by Thornton ltd.  This English made Ivory Parallel Rule is in fine condition.  Rules like this are usually found in boxed drafting sets, or traveling Shagreen cases associated with navigation or architects.   It is marked with the maker name and location on one face.   

Fine  . . . . . .$75.00       SOLD!!

W. Elliot English 4 Fold 3 Foot Ivory Folding Rule   This English Ivory Rule is in super nice condition.  It has scales on every available surface and edge, and shows little if any signs of use or abuse.  It has aged to a mellow white with some light yellowing on the outside legs.  A hard to find size ivory rule in hard to find condition.  A nice addition to any collection.

Good . . . . . . $675.00        SOLD

Stanley Rule & Level Co. #38 Ivory Rule The tag on this one indicates it was bought from Bob Kaune in 1975.  Seems like yesterday.

Good + . . . . . .$225.00        SOLD!

Chapin #60 Ivory Rule

Good + . . . . . . $275.00       SOLD!

# 40 Ivory 1' 4 Fold Rule  This ivory rule is marked #40.  The outside shows considerable wear.   The inside is much nicer.  Unusual, and Different!!

Good - . . . . . $85.00     HOLD!!

Folding / Bone Zig - Zag Rule / Ruler in Green Shagreen Case  I think this unusual antique zig-zag rule is French. Not sure what the measurement is other than it is not Inches, and I do not think it is Metric. Base 12 perhaps. The legs of the rule look to be bone as you can see grain on the ends of the slabs. Given the case I believe it is 18th - 19th Century. The clasp button on the case is working, and the overall condition of the case is nice. A very interesting early piece.

Fine . . . . . $220.00        SOLD!!

Misc. Rules

Kirby / Empire Last Wks. Folding Shoe / Foot Size Rule  A look back in time. This rule has several different scales and no instructions or reference to help figure out what is what.  It looks great, and is in super condition.  Nice.

I recently went into a Redwing store looking to buy a pair of boots and started to measure my foot when the salesperson told me to stand on a disc and let the computer program do it. My how times have changed. 

Fine . . . . . . $50.00         SOLD!!

Boxwood Sector / Scale / Rule  An interesting sector rule in Boxwood that is in fantastic condition. There is no maker name. It is in near mint condition.

Fine. . . . .75.00      SOLD!!

6" Folding Ivory Sector / Scale / Rule  A very nice example. Most simply call these off as an navigation tool, and many are found in cased Maritime / Navigation sets, or as an architect scale / rule and call it a day. The more complete story can be found here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sector_(instrument)  There one can find all the info and history one would ever need to know.

Fine . . . . .$110.00       SOLD!!

E. P. Johnsons No. 45 German Silver 1' Caliper Rule w/ Protractor / Bevel   Very nice!   Much harder to find than the small 6" version.

Fine . . . . . $60.00        SOLD!!

E.P. Johnson #46 Caliper Rule  & Protractor  This rule is made of German Silver.  It was granted a patent in 1907.  The condition is excellent.

Fine . . . . .35.00      SOLD!!

E. P. Preston & Sons Rosewood Body Ship Carpenter Bevel   Nice condition.  Unusual. 

Good + . . . . . $40.00      SOLD!!

Antique Brass Pistol Grip Measure  Unmarked as to maker and purpose or use is unknown to me.  A brass measure for fingers or other body parts perhaps? Glove maker, saddle maker, or ? The steel pin is adjustable for some reason.

Seems a bit small for a penis / pecker measure, at least for me,  but could be just the thing to see how or if you measure up

Good + . . . . . . $45.00      SOLD!!

The Chapin - Stephens Co. No. 036 Architects Rule w/ Bevel & Level   This unusual architects rule is pretty nice.  The bevel blade is nice, and the level vial is good.  Note that this example is not marked with the model #.  A graphic and hard to find rule!!

Good +. . . . . . . $125.00     SOLD!!

Plymouth Manila Cordage Co. Boxwood & Brass Advertising Caliper Rule   This is a great looking oversize Boxwood & Brass caliper rule with advertising from a Pacific Northwest outfit called the Pacific Net and Twine Company out of Seattle Washington on the back.  It says they were agents for the Plymouth Cordage Co and that they were dealers in Marine Hardware and Fishing Supplies.  See all the pics!! Very Nice!!

Fine . . . . . $125.00     SOLD!!

Rabone No, 1190 3' 4 Fold Boxwood Rule w/ Level This is an unusual and hard to find rule.  Pretty nice overall condition.  Different!!

Good + . . . . . $45.00      SOLD!!

2 Antique 1' 2 Fold Boxwood Caliper Rules  Both are in excellent condition.  Both are the equivalent of a Stanley #32.  The top one is marked H. Chapins & Son #32.  The bottom one is marked #72 The Chapin Stephens Co.  Nice!!

Top . . . . . . Good + . . . . . $45.00    SOLD!!

Bottom . . . . . Good + . . . . . $55.00    SOLD!!

Stephens & Co. # 36 Architects Inclinometer Rule w/ Bevel  This unusual Architects rule is marked 36 along with the location of Riverton CT.  The scales are U. S. Standard.  Pretty Nice! 

Good + . . . . . .$125.00   SOLD!!

John Roebling Wire Rope Advertising Rule  This unusual rule was made to advertise Roebling products.  Other rules will have actual increments instead of all the blurbs / advertising attesting to how good a product they had.   Rare, Unusual, and Different!!

Good  . . . . . $75.00     SOLD!!

D. B. & S. / Darling Brown & Sharpe Miniature Presentation Caliper  The condition is very nice.  The D B S name and location are stamped into the bar.  I am sure these have a story to tell. Who, why, when, where and other questions are all out there with no real answers.   Were they given out to managers at retirement, or something else?  It must have been kind of a rare occurrence as I have never seen another one like this plated and engraved with initials.  Very nice!!

A fine addition to the early Machinist tool collection.

Fine . . . . .$195.00      SOLD!!

Bamboo Gadget Cane w/ Horse Measure Rule & Level  This unusual gadget cane is unmarked as to maker.   These canes were designed to be used by country gentleman at auctions or other horse selling venues of the day to determine the size and stature of prospective horses being offered up for sale.  To use one would simply push up on the tab, extend the rule upward out of the body,  flip out the cross rule w/ level in it, and slide it over the patiently waiting horse's back to determine how many hands tall he was.  I suppose he would also scratch the horse's back a bit to placate him as he was performing this trick, and reading if the level vial at the same time.  There is a reason such things are called gadget canes. 

The overall condition is nice with no splits in the body, or other major problems.     

Fine . . . . . . $195.00         SOLD!

Flossie Greenleaf Walking Wheel Log Caliper & Wheeled Rule   Log Calipers are a large and very graphic piece of Americana & American ingenuity. They were a tool that lumbermen of the Northeast used routinely in the field or at the mill to determine how much lumber the lumber mill could expect to get out of a downed tree.  The idea was that you walked the length and kept track of the rotation count of the wheel to determine the length of the tree.  You took this number and after determining the width computed out the bd. ft. volume you could expect after milling said tree using the charts on the sides of the stick or caliper.  There were a couple of different formulas available for this computation, and as can be expected, there was one that favored the buyer, and another the the sellers preferred.   Flossie Greenleaf a woman learned the trade from her father and was a well known and respected maker of rules and log calipers in New Hampshire.  The condition of the top one is super with just minor losses to the yellow wash finish.  One spoke on the wheel is an early replacement, but this is typical and was very well done.  A super piece.   The lower stick with a wheel is in very nice condition as well.  It is unmarked as to maker, but is of the same general time frame and quality of construction.

Good. . . . . . $1275.00      SOLD

Lufkin Rule w/ Patent Pending Bevel Guide    I have seen and know of a few other versions of these add on gizmos for wooden rules.  This one is marked Thomas Mitre Rule & Patent Pend.   

Good  . . . . . . $150.00        SOLD

Three Tool Rule Co. 1907 Campbell Patent Rule Tool Attachment  The simple mans Stanley Odd Job. This aluminum attachment for a folding rule allows it to be used as a depth gage and try and mitre square.

The patent for this unusual tool was was granted on October 7 1907.  The Three Tool Rule Co. 1907 Patent Ruler Attachment Measures 2 7/8" long, 1 1/2" high.  Robert Campbell of Elizabeth NY was granted Pat. No. 867,556 on Oct. 1, 1907 for the design of this rule tool.   It was made by the Three Tool Rule Co. of Newark, NJ.

Good +  . . . . . $40.00       SOLD!!

BRASS Three Tool Rule Co. 1907 Campbell Patent Rule Tool Attachment  The simple mans Stanley Odd Job. This is the much harder to find brass version of this unusual tool.  The Campbell Patent Rule Attachment is attached to a folding rule and allows it to be used as a depth gage and try and mitre square.

The patent for this unusual tool was was granted on October 7 1907.  The Three Tool Rule Co. 1907 Patent Ruler Attachment Measures 2 7/8" long, 1 1/2" high.  Robert Campbell of Elizabeth NY was granted Pat. No. 867,556 on Oct. 1, 1907 for the design of this rule tool.   It was made by the Three Tool Rule Co. of Newark, NJ in both Aluminum and Brass.

Good +  . . . . . $75.00       SOLD!!

Boye "Handy Rule Tool"  This is an unusual and hard to find rule accessory. The inventor of the Stanley No.1 Odd Jobs, George Hall, patented this device in 1925. It is called the Handy Rule Tool. It has the original box and instructions.  Like new never used condition. Both bubbles intact.

There are at least 10 functions.  Plumb level, level, square, compass, center gauge, pitch gauge, depth gauge, left and right bevel and more.  Rare tool in nice condition.   Different!!

Fine . . . . . $125.00       SOLD!

Boye "Handy Rule Tool" w/ Stanley 163 Folding Rule  This is an unusual and hard to find carpenter rule accessory. The inventor of the Stanley No.1 Odd Jobs, George Hall, first patented this device in 1925.  This version was patented again shortly after when he added the bevel arm to the design. It is called the Handy Rule Tool. It has ta nice 163 Stanley Rule.  Like new never used condition. Both bubbles intact.

There are at least 10 functions.  Plumb level, level, square, compass, center gauge, pitch gauge, depth gauge, left and right bevel and more.  Rare tool in nice condition.   Different!!

Fine . . . . . $85.00       SOLD!!

Robinson Rule Tool  Nice condition.  No damage.  A no frill rule tool to compete with the Stanley Odd Job.  This idea has vertical sides,  a slight change or improvement over the Campbell design in that regard.  Overall a cruder done tool.  Harder to find as well. 

Good +. . . . . $25.00       SOLD!!

Butler Taylor Co. Pocket Level Plumb Protractor Inclinometer Rule Tool Attachment  An unusual rule attachment out of Ravenna Ohio.  Says Pat Appld For.  Looks to have spent most of its life in its box.   

Fine  . . . . . 175.00       SOLD!!

Cowgill's Patent Angle Divider / Bevel Attachment on Stanley # 54 Rule This unusual rule attachment was patented on May 5, 1891. The patent # 451810 and comes up with a Google search.  It is discussed in Walters price guide ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE STANLEY TOOLS A GUIDE TO IDENTITY AND VALUE on pages 527 - 528  This is an early version marked Pat Apld For.  Cowgill the inventor / maker bought Stanley 54 rules and attached his idea to them.  It is a rare thing.  The idea was later incorporated into the Stanley line as the #30 - 31 Angle Dividers.   Pretty Nice! 

Good + . . . . . .$295.00     SOLD!!

C. S. Co. No. 42 Ship Carpenter Bevel / Rule   C. S. Co. stands for Chapin Stevens of Pine Meadow CT.  Minty nice overall condition.  Unusual.  \

Fine . . . . . $75.00          SOLD!!

Lufkin No. 42 Ship Carpenters Ruler w/ 2 Bevels   NOS Like new condition.  These are getting hard to find in this nice condition. 

Fine  . . . . . $60.00         SOLD!!

BACK to Tool Archive

This is just a sample of the many antiques & collectibles we have sold.
Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We Buy Quality Antique Tools
Contact Us at AntiqBuyer@gmail.com

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

This website is Copyrighted
Larry & Carole Meeker