Title:

Vintage Rabone Hockley Abbey No. 1150 Boxwood & Brass Folding Pocket Ruler 12\" MINT

Item Specifics:

*

* Brand: John Rabone & Sons / Hockley Abbey

* Model: No. 1150

* Material: Boxwood & Brass

* Original/Reproduction: Original Vintage

* Era: Circa 1920s - 1950s

* Country of Manufacture: England

* Length: 12 inches (Fully Extended)

* Type: 4-Fold Vest Pocket Carpenter\'s/Woodworker\'s Rule

* Condition: Mint Condition

Description:

Up for sale is a stunning, investment-grade example of a vintage John Rabone & Sons No. 1150 boxwood and brass pocket folding ruler. Manufactured in Birmingham, England, this specialized 4-fold tool extends to a full 12 inches and compresses down into a highly portable 3.25-inch vest pocket size. Brass all complete including locking pin.

This piece is in absolute mint vintage condition. The yellow boxwood retains a beautiful color without warping or bowing along the segments. The bold, dark imperial alignment markings and the \"MADE IN ENGLAND\" stamp are crisp, dark, and perfectly legible. The brass main arch hinge and metal tips are clean with an exceptional, rich aged patina. Crucially, the fragile brass alignment pin is still perfectly intact, which is a rarity for folding tools of this age.

The Famous Logo & Factory History:

This rule proudly features the iconic \"Hockley Abbey\" trademark stamped alongside three interlocking stylized triangles. The name dates back to 1798 when an eccentric Birmingham ironmaster named Richard Ford built a gothic residential mansion out of black industrial furnace slag, jokingly calling it \"Hockley Abbey\" despite it having no religious ties.

In 1871, the premier British rule-maker John Rabone & Sons acquired this exact historic land site, cleared it, and built their massive, state-of-the-art \"Hockley Abbey Works\" facility on Whitmore Street. They adopted the triple-triangle logo to represent the structural peaks and masonry arches of the original ruins. Stamped tools from this facility quickly became globally recognized as the gold standard of precision craftsmanship throughout the early-to-mid 20th century. Based on the specific font weighting and alignment, this elite specimen was manufactured between the 1920s and 1950s.

Perfect for serious antique tool collectors, woodworking enthusiasts, or as a distinctive historical display piece.

Please examine the high-resolution listing photos carefully to verify the extraordinary cosmetic and structural condition of this authentic piece of British industrial history.

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