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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Gillg on Wednesday 25 June 25 19:32 BST (UK)
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I have my grandfather's yardstick and am quite intrigued by some of the markings on it. He was a master draper and the stick is smoothly rounded along its length and at each end. It has inch markings along one length with fractions of a yard along the other side. Basically it's a pole, I suppose, but lightweight and maybe made of mahogany. The stick was rounded, he told me, so that the delicate fabrics he sold could be measured without getting damaged, as they might be if the stick was the usual flat one. Some shops had a measure set into their counters for that reason, I suppose, but even that might have the odd rough spot.
I am intrigued by the markings at one end - E(then the symbol for a crown)R 5. Well, I know that doesn't mean Queen Elizabeth, and it's clearly not King Edward V, who ruled in 1483, but was never crowned. In fact it means King Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910, around the time that my grandfather was working in a draper's shop. But what is the significance of the number 5? I'm supposed to be talking about it tomorrow evening at our local history society social, where people are invited to bring in an article of some historical significance for others to guess its purpose.
Can anyone help, please?
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Not sure if this is any help but Google search
Accuracy class:
The accuracy class on a folding rule indicates how accurate the measurement result is. It is usually indicated by a number or letter that represents the tolerance or deviation of the measurement result from the actual length.
There are different accuracy classes that may vary depending on the country and manufacturer. In Europe, accuracy classes are defined according to DIN 862 (German standard) or ISO 3650 (International standard).
The accuracy class is typically indicated in fractions of a millimeter. For example:
Class I: 0,02 mm
Class II: 0,05 mm
Class III: 0,1 mm
There are also yardsticks with higher accuracy used by professional users, such as in mechanical engineering, tool manufacturing, and measurement and testing technology.
The higher the accuracy class, the more precise the measurement result. However, it is important to note that higher accuracy may be associated with a higher price and that sometimes higher accuracy is not necessary depending on the application.
https://www.bauer-massstabfabrik.de/en/yardstick-markings-meaning/
Edit
In the context of measurement devices, an "Accuracy Class 5" generally indicates a measurement device with a permissible error of ±5% of its full scale reading. This means that for a device with a 100 unit full scale, the reading could be off by as much as ±5 units.
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Now that's an interesting comment! I wonder if it applies here. It wouldn't do for measurements to be out when dressmaking.
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At one time years were recorded by the year the sovereign ascended the throne + the years they had occupied it. But it normally identified the sovereign in question ie Hen. IV. 8 (work it out!) where more than one had ruled under that name.
Possibility?
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Now that's an interesting comment! I wonder if it applies here. It wouldn't do for measurements to be out when dressmaking.
I agree that could lead to some interesting looking outfits ??? :D
Also angry customers if they were under sold material >:( >:(
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Yes just an inch as eg on a yard, and the draper gained a yard after selling 36 yards off the one roll.
Never mind the quality feel the width !!!
When plaster was mixed with bread flour to the shopkeeper’s advantage an inch of material short sold was mild by comparison.
Viktoria.
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Could the 5 have been added after the crest? Could it indicate that it's yardstick number 5 for the shop?
Jane :-)
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No, I don't think so. It's clearly part of the same inscription.
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Gillg, a detailed close photo of the whole and parts will help.
Mrs Zaph.
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Verification marks
A verification mark signifies that the measure has been inspected by an official Weights & Measures Inspector
Example used for measuring capacity:
https://pewtersociety.org/identifying-and-collecting-pewter/verification-and-capacity-marks
Tony
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My parent’s shop scales ( Avery) , had to be tested every year , and a mark made and a seal to prove they had been checked and found to be accurate.
It was a fineable offence if they were used when inaccurate .
Viktoria.
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Tony
I think you have hit the nail on the head here! According to the table of areas and their verification numbers in the fascinating pages you refer to, the verification mark for Manchester was 5, which is where the measurements of the yardstick would have been verified. My grandfather, the draper and owner of the yardstick, lived just a few mile from Manchester and 5 is the number which follows the royal crest on the stick.
That's a fascinating book you have referred me to and one which I will go back to read more thoroughly at a later date, as it's so interesting historically.
Thank you so much. :)
Mrs Zaph
I'm afraid I'm not very clever at attaching photos. :(