Review By: I.Ball
Category: Old Tape Measures
Manufacturer: John Rabone And Sons
Tool Type: Tape Measure
Model No: 390
The John Rabone and Sons tape measure number 390 is an old tape measure
housed in a stitched seemed leather case.
The internal measuring tape is made from woven fabric with the measurements
marked in increments of inches and feet on the front side and in link
measurements on the reverse side. Each inch increment is further broken
down into half increments.
The John Rabone And Sons 390 tape measure is fitted with a brass ring
pull fixed to the start of the tape. The ring pull also allows the user
to potentially hook the pull over something to aid in long distant measuring.
The tape is typically measured with the measurement commencing from the outside of the
ring at the end of the tape, i.e. the ring is included in the measurement.
The most common measurements on these tape measures were feet
and inches on the top side with links to the reverse side.
The Rabone 390 tape measure also has a brass winding mechanism. The winder neatly clips
into a central hole when not in use.
The tape photographed was a 66ft long tape. Other sizes of this tape
were manufactured by John Rabone and Sons.
The tapes measures which surface most regularly today are 33ft, 66ft,
and 100ft with measurements on both sides.
Case:
leather
Fittings:
brass
Tape:
woven linen
Markings (Front):
'John Rabone & Sons, Birmingham, England'.
[the size] on the brass winder (usually 33ft, 66ft or 100ft).
'Rabone's Metallic Wired Tape'.
Sometimes there are additional marks such as a company name, goverment department
or an owners name/mark.
Markings (Rear):
'Rabone's, Rigida, Tape, Trade Mark'.
? - ?
Due to the age of these tape measures, it is quite common to find the first 6-10
inches of the tape heavily worn with fraying or the numbers barely visible.
It is also fairly common to find the brass pull missing or replaced.
Another less desirable fault which can occur is the winder handle no longer holds
shut; it flaps about when held upside down.
The case stitching can sometimes be coming apart at the seams.
....
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