Antique Rabone No. 1380 Two-Foot Folding Boxwood and Brass Rule

This is a classic Victorian or Edwardian two-foot, four-fold rule crafted from boxwood with heavy brass hinges and an integrated brass arched joint.

The face bears the crisp, clear stamping of "Rabone" and "No. 1380," which represents John Rabone & Sons' highly successful catalog model number rather than a unique serial tracking code. Most intriguingly, a previous owner named "H. Greenaway" has carefully stamped his own name into the wood. This personal branding was standard practice among 19th and early 20th-century journeymen carpenters, cabinetmakers, and shipwrights to prevent their premium tools from mysteriously migrating into a colleague's toolbox.

Honest Anatomy:
The boxwood has aged to a deep, honeyed amber tone, showing a smooth patina from years of contact with working hands. The brass fittings are completely original, solid, and straight. The folding joints move smoothly and snap cleanly into position when straight. There is light, honest surface grime and faint historic staining around the hinges, along with the expected tiny scuffs from regular service at the bench.

Dimensions:
• Folded Length: 16.5 cm (approx. 6.5 inches)
• Fully Extended Length: 61 cm / 24 inches (2 English Feet)
• Width: 2 cm (approx. 0.8 inches)