The first steel tape measures ever.

[master Zoda]

I found this at a random yard sale today. I would love to know if anybody has any experience with these. I was able to find one post on GJ of a 75' standard scale. This one is in 100ths and 10ths of an foot on one side and links and poles on the other. It is in pretty nice shape for being from I hope the 1870s. This link is the best information I have been able to find. The only identical example I have found so far. It is pretty interesting the price in 1871 was $17 that's $395.94 in todays money for a tape measure. I have to assume they didn't sell millions of them.

Tape (Chesterman)

This brass and leather case of this steel tape is marked "CHESTERMAN'S PATENT / SHEFFIELD" and "100 Ft." The tape itself is graduated in 100ths of a foot…

americanhistory.si.edu

 

[tombell572]

Tenths, links and poles are old surveyor's measurements. A pole, also known as a rod is 16.5 feet in length and consists of 25 links of a surveyor's chain. That's a nice old tape.

Tom B.