Very early Caliper J R BROWN & SHARPE MAKER PROV RI

[Sstrave]

I have a very old caliper marked J R BROWN A SHARPE MAKER PROV. RI

It's three inches long and consists of three parts as pictured.

I suspect it was made not long after the invention of the linear dividing engine. Every inch is marked in a different scale.

The various divisions are (3 to a side) 16, 32, 64 - 20, 50, 100 - 12, 24, 48 - 8, 14, 28

I think they were showing what the engine could do. I'm lucky to have the whole thing

[/ATTACH]

I'd sure like to know more about it. Thanks Steve

Here's a couple of scans.

 

[enginebill]

Do you have a scanner that you could lay them on to get a good clear photo?

 

[Joe in NH]

Quick history at Brown & Sharpe - Wikipedia

Probably pre-dated 1866, unless it was done as an "exercise" by someone learning the ropes after 1892.

There are those on this board who could probably closer identify the year of manufacture by the "style & format" of the stamped lettering.

Joe in NH

 

[rivett608]

These came out I guess in the late 1860s and were offered under the J R. name in the 1868 catalog. They were offered in a number of different graduations like yours so that is not a sample or prototype. It also appears to have been shortened for some reason as the body appears cut in half. They were made in 3" and 4" lengths.

 

[Sstrave]

Great idea - Never thought of that.
Added two scans to the original post
Thanks Steve

 

[TomBoctou]

I've got a similar one with a patent date of June 14, 1892. The knurled knob is a lock.

 

[Sstrave]

Very neat - Old tools are just great.

 

[Sstrave]

I think you're right - Looked at the ends under a scope and there are some visible tooth marks. Have no idea why.

 

[Sstrave]

It seems that these were made with multiple scales. The MAKER designation seems to appear on earlier stuff.

 

[Robert Lang]

The MAKER designation seems to appear on earlier stuff.

I agree with that on the machinist tools.
I don't know when they quit doing that on other items.
My B&S surface plate from 1886.

Rob