antique measuring tool for fabric or cloth, 1887 Standard Cloth Meter No. 512 w/ wood case

Antique measuring tool for measuring the amount of cloth yardage on a roll or bolt etc... Standard Cloth Meter No. 512 with a rosewood handle and wood case. This is in very nice condition.

This tool is nicely marked with a patent date of Dec, 20th 1887 (Patent number 375,026). The basic technique is to move the tip of the tool around the roll between the layers of cloth leaving the thread between the layers. As the thread is pulled, it turns the wheel and the turning wheel increases a small counter measuring the yardage.

More information on use can be found through the original patent on www.uspto.gov.

The case measures about 9 1/2" x 8" x 4 1/2" and is made of chestnut, dark stained on the outside.