Rabone Square

John15 · 30 Aug 2016

I received this 6" Rabone square in the post today from Ebay. It checks OK with another engineer's square that I trust. It has a number of smudgy marks and wonder if it's possible to remove them. Also I wonder if anyone can date it from the labels. The number 1484 is stamped on the stock.

John

AndyT · 30 Aug 2016

Very nice!

Rabone had a long run - founded 1784, moved to Hockley Abbey in 1871, survived until 1963 when they were merged with James Chesterman & Co. It's hard to be definite about dates, as they seem to have been very conservative in their trademarks - I think they kept that style of 19th century looking label well into the 20th century. So some time between 1871 and 1963, but more likely to be 20th century than 19th, from the condition and the survival.

John15 · 30 Aug 2016

Thanks Andy for the info. I can remember Rabone's name for quality tools when I left school in the late '50s so it's satisfying to finally get something with their name on it.

John

ED65 · 30 Aug 2016

John15":1o0af4jo said:
It has a number of smudgy marks and wonder if it's possible to remove them.

Steel wool lubricated with paste wax or oil or white spirit is a good starting point. If that won't shift them then it's time to move up to fine abrasives but always worth giving the steel wool a try first.

ED65 · 30 Aug 2016

AndyT":3qy47yqr said:
So some time between 1871 and 1963, but more likely to be 20th century than 19th, from the condition and the survival.

I'd say so going by the label to the right as well, which I'm sure is from the 20th century (30s I think).

Benchwayze · 30 Aug 2016

Rabone Chesterman's was on my patch in Hockley during the mid 1960s John.

I went past it one winter's night, and through a frosted glass window I noticed something flickering. I found a key hole in the gates, and lo and behold there was smoke and a nice little fire just starting. Needless to say, I got busy; fortunately just in time. I had a nice letter from the firm, but the gaffers wouldn't let me keep it! They had some lovely timber at that works, and their 4 foot spirit levels were the goods. :mrgreen: