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16th March 2023, 05:30 PM #1Intermediate Member
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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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16th March 2023 05:30 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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16th March 2023, 08:27 PM #2China
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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
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17th March 2023, 09:38 AM #3
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)
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17th March 2023, 10:20 AM #4SENIOR MEMBER
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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
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27th March 2023, 02:15 PM #5Intermediate Member
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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.
TedLast edited by Tedinoz; 27th March 2023 at 02:17 PM. Reason: type
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