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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Earlwood
    Posts
    28

    Default 24 inch John Rabone & Sons spirit level

    Greetings.
    I don't think this is "antique" (per se), and I'm not sure whether spirit levels are a collectable. But...

    I picked up this spirit level last week for $5 and I'd like to identify the approx. age. It is a 24 inch level made by "John Rabone & Sons". There's a code stamped into the top but difficult to read (maybe #113 or #115) and I don't want to sand/scrape/clean just to read it.

    The vertical level has been replaced (you can see that it's green-ish) but the horizontal glass looks original. There's not a lot of varnish left, but I suspect it's had a productive life.

    Just on tangent, are spirit levels actually collectable? Would one clean this up, polish and revarnish (which would seem a great shame), or leave as is?

    Ted

    rabone01.jpgrabone04.jpgrabone02.jpgrabone03.jpgrabone05.jpg

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

    Default

    Spirit levels are collectable on their own and by tool collectors, don't clean it, collectors want items as unadulterated as possible.
    as for age hopefully someone will pipe up

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    2,205

    Default

    Rabone joined with Chesterman in the 1960s.
    There is sure to be heaps of info on the net if you do a search.
    H.
    Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    victor harbor sa
    Posts
    315

    Default

    Hi Tedlinoz,

    According to Grace's Guide to British Industrial History,

    1871 - the company moved to Hockley Abby Birmingham

    1877 - a second son joined the business after which the company became John Rabone & Sons

    1938 - the company name changed to Rabone Tools

    1963 - the company merged with James Chesterman & Co. and the name changed again to Rabone & Chesterman

    So I reckon your level would have been manufactured between 1877 and 1938.

    With regard to cleaning, I would give it a light cleaning, with care not to disturb the paper label.

    Graham

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Earlwood
    Posts
    28

    Default

    Thanks to all who replied with information about this level.

    FYI, I have listed the level on the form's Market Place for the princely sum of $5.

    I hope that someone who appreciates levels will buy it.

    Ted
    Last edited by Tedinoz; 27th March 2023 at 02:17 PM. Reason: type

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