Rabone & Sons had its origins in Birmingham, as rule and tool makers. The business was continued by John Rabone and his (John's) grandson, Eric Rabone. It worked under the name of John Rabone & Sons c1784-1953, becoming a public company in 1948. Control of the business remained with the Rabone family until 1962. In 1963 the company merged with a toolmaker from Sheffield to become Rabone Chesterman. The name E. M. Lock has been carved into the leather on one side. Edith May Lock was the mother of Arthur Lock who served in the 2/23 RD Australian Infantry Battalion, known as "Albury's Own".This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A retractable wire measuring tape with leather casing and brass centre and winding handle. The tape is 66 feet in length. The manufacture's name, John Rabone & Sons, is inscribed around the centre circle as well as the Number 401 and 66FTAround centre circle "JOHN RABONE & SONS/BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND". In the centre "NO401 66FT" On opposite side around centre circle "RABONE'S METALLIC WIRED TAPE". Engraved into the surface "E.M.Lock"world war 11, john rabone and sons, wired measuring tape

Henry Sutton is a talented world-wide accepted inventor with inventions relating to the telephone, photography, wireless, cars, motorcycles, and bicycles as well as many more inventions. Henry was also one of four brothers that ran the Sutton's Music Store after the death of their Father Richard Sutton. Henry Sutton taught Applied Electricity at the Ballarat School of Mines in 1883 to 1886.Rabone Chesterman Folding Rule Boxwood No. 1380 associated with Henry SuttonMade in England, Boxwood No. 1380 Rabone Chestermanrabone chesterman, folding rule, henry sutton

J. Rabone and Sons, based in Birmingham, were precision rule and tool makers from 1784 to1962. This handsome carpenter rule can be folded for easier storage and portability. It may date from the first half of the 20th century.This rule is noteworthy for its attractiveness as well as its practicableness and is typical of the fine tools created by Rabone.An attractive 36 inch long four-fold folding rule made of boxwood with brass hinges. It can be fully extended or folded. It is marked out in inches with one side marked in one-twelfth and one-eighth of an inch increments, and the other side marked in one-eighteenth of an inch increments.On one side: '12 / 8 BOXWOOD RABONE MADE IN ENGLAND NO. 1380 3FT.' On the other side: '18 3FT.'birmingham, rabone, carpenter rule, folding rule

This measuring ruler was used in the planning and making of components for the ship model Sovereign of the Seas. It is part of a collection of objects used by Jim Williams, maker of fine ship models from about 1930-1955. Most of the components for the models, as well as many of the tools, were handmade by Jim Williams. Jim’s family has donated the ship model “Sovereign of the Seas” and many tools, accessories and documents used in the making of this and other ship models have been donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Ship model of HMS Sovereign of the Seas, scale model of 17th Century English war ship, was handmade and carved from plans, enclosed in airtight glass case. All components of that model, including even the smallest pulleys, were hand crafted using tools designed and made by Jim. Outstanding details include functional rigging and moving cannons. Please see our record 3732 of the mode Sovereign of the Seas for further details of the ship and the maker. This ruler made by instrument makers J Rabone and Sons of Birmingham, is connected with the hobby and skill of ship model making that has been crafted as a leisure activity for many generations. The hobby is often chosen by serving and retired mariners who appreciate the connection with maritime history. This ruler was used by local Warrnambool man, Jim Williams, who was employed at Cramond and Dickson clothing store, and then at Fletcher Jones menswear for 27 years. It was used in making components for the model of the historic ship, the Sovereign of the Seas. The Sovereign of the Seas was a historic 17th century English war ship with important maritime heritage. Ruler, folding, wooden with brass hinges. Maker J. Rabone & Sons, Birmingham. Model No. 1375. It is warranted to be made of Boxwood. Length is 24 inches, divided into 1/8th inches on one side and 1/16th inches on the other side. This ruler is part of a collection of tools and accessories once used by Jim Williams, maker of a series of ship models 1930-1955 including “HMS Sovereign of the Seas”.“J RABONE & SONS / BIRMINGHAM”, “WARAND BOXWOOD”, “NO 1375”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, ship model sovereign of the seas, jim williams, james bernard williams, ship model hobby, ship model tools, ship model making equipment, ship model making accessories, measuring instrument, ruler, folding ruler, j rabone and sons of birmingham england, ruler model 1375, sovereign of the sea, ship model, hobby, ship model tool, english war ship, j rabone and sons

This style of rule was very popular in the 1930s and 1940 and was a necessity in any tradesman or handyman's tool kit. It was donated to our Society by Ray Fischer of Barnawartha near Wodonga. Rabone & Sons were a long established rule manufacturer. Michael Rabone carried on a business as a rule maker at 8 Snow Hill, Sheffield, England from about 1780. The business was continued by John Rabone and his (John's) grandson, Eric Rabone. It operated under the name of John Rabone & Sons from 1784 -1953, becoming a public company in 1948. The company's headquarters were in Birmingham, England. Lasting through to the early 1960s as an independent family business, the company merged with James Chesterman and Co of Sheffield.This rule was donated by a member of the Wodonga district from his farm workshop.A brass 24" folding ruler made by J. Rabone & Sons, Birmingham, England. It is marked No. 1243. It consists of two twelve inch sections, hinged at one end.J. RABONE & SONS BIRMINGHAM NO> 1243j. rabone & sons, carpenters' tools

Brass and wood Spirit Level.J. Rabone & Sons Makers Birmingham. Warranted Correct.

Blackboard pointer, wood cylindrical rod with brass tips at either end. Marked "J Rabone and Sons, Makers, Birmingham" and "Yard" on the brass tip. Calibrated in inches and fractions of a yard.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, blackboard pointer, j rabone and sons

This flexible measuring tape was used by the SEC Victoria in the mid to late 1900's. It was in a period before digital measuring instruments were in use. This is a 33ft long tape measure and would have been used by the construction workers when building the Kiewa Valley Hydro System. The warning details (embossed into the leather covering) was to warn users to be careful not to use the tape near live electricity terminals or linkages. This tape was produced mainly for wooden structures and not electricity conductive material. This was during the 1950's to 1960's.This imperial tape measure is very significant to the Kiewa Valley as it was used in the construction of the Kiewa Valley Hydro Scheme of the 1950's-1960's. It provides evidence that small measuring equipment used in the construction and the continuing maintenance of the scheme was of the imperial measure and used by construction workers who remained and settled in the town of Mount Beauty and Kiewa Valley long after the construction period. This flexible metallic measuring tape (33 ft in length) is contained in a round circular leather bound container. It has brass fittings (winder and tape guide) and is stitched with heavy grade twine. The tape measure is graduated in feet and inches on one side and yards on the other. Embossed in the leather casing"MADE IN ENGLAND" and around the inner circle "HOCKLEY ABBEY" and "JOHN RABONE & SONS"imperial tape measure, distance measures, imperial tools

B. 1811 England; D. 1872 Sydney. President of the Australasian Conference in 1861.B & W printed head and shoulders printed etching of the Rev. Stephen Rabone. "Revd Stephen Rabone, President of Australasian Conference 1861"rabone, stephen, wesleyan methodist, president of conference

Used by donor's family as an aid in dress making and sewing.Used to obtain accurate measurements36 inch (one yard rule) made in England, 'Rabone No 1504'. Wood stained with metal ends. Graduated in inches with increments of 16ths, 8ths, and quarter and half inches.Rabone No 1504 Made in Englandhandcrafts, dressmaking

Plane Moulding Grecian Ogee with bevel. Also called Quirk or Quir Ogees. Made by Rabone Bros & Co. Size 1/2 inch. Stamped "RABONE BROS & CO.", and ["G N" within a large "W"]flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff hill maritime mus, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, plane, wood working tool, hand tool, moulding plane, grecian orgee, quirk plane, quirk ogees, rabone bros & co.

Early surveying, especially for measuring land was often done in links. One link equated to 7.92 inches long, which is 20.12 centimeters, or one percent of a chain, which is 66 feet, or 2,011 centimetres long.A vintage Rabone tape measure in a brown leather case with a brass winding handle.The tape has a length of 66 feet, the length of a chain. One side of the tape is marked in inches and the reverse side is marked in linksOn the tape: "John Rabone & Co Hockley Made in England"

Tin tape measure in circular-shaped brass covering. Has a metal ring at the end. rusty. tape measures, measuring instruments

12 inch folding wooden ruler, with brass ends, and brass connecting screw.Rabone No. 1150folding rules

24 inch/ 2 foot folding wooden ruler, with Spirit Level on one arm.Rabone No. 1190folding rules, spirit levels

B. 1811 England; D. 1872 Sydney. President of the Australasian Conference in 1861.B & W carte de visite, full length studio portrait of the Rev. Stephen Rabone. rabone, stephen, wesleyan methodist, president of conference

Timber & Brass Measuring / Set Square Light timber legs with brass reinforced corner construction Measurements in inches along both legs of the set squareJ. Rabone & Sons Birmingham No 1535

Single crease iron 2⅛" Flat head burred and split. Maker Rabone & Son Length 140mm flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

36 inch long x 12 inches ruler with brass corner pieceJ Rabone & Sons, Birmingham Made in England, No 1513 Proportionate Waist Measure

8687.1 - Metal ruler that has an eyelet to enable it to bend, measuring in inches on both sides.- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. - J Rabone & sons BIRMINGHAM - No 1493

By the end of the nineteenth century, the firm of Edward Preston & Sons was founded in 1825, becoming one of England's leading makers of hand tools and in many ways a British counterpart to America's "Stanley" for its wide range of quality utilitarian tools at affordable prices. Edward Preston Sr. (1798–1883) was first listed as a plane-maker at 77 Lichfield Street in the Birmingham Directory of 1833, but later listings and advertisements assert that the business was started in 1825. Preston is likewise recorded as a plane-maker living with his family in Lichfield Street in the 1841 census, at which time his younger son Edward was 6 years old. Around 1850, his son Edward left school to join his father's business and is recorded in the 1851 census as a plane-maker at his father's address. He appears to have been quite a talented and resourceful young man, as he had later been able to start up his own "wood and brass spirit level manufacturing business at 97½ Lichfield Street by 1864. By 1866, Edward Jnr had added planes, routers, joiners, coach, gun, cabinet, and carpenters tools to his line, and the following year he moved his shop from his father's address and relocated to 26 Newton Street, before moving again to much larger premises at 22–24 Whittall Street. This location became known as the Whittall Works and later was the office and factory of Edward Preston & Sons, Ltd. In 1889 Edward Preston Jnr and his three sons were brought into the firm and the name was changed to Edward Preston & Sons, becoming Edward Preston & Sons Ltd on incorporation in 1898. Part of the firm's output was a healthy line of malleable and gun-metal planes and patent adjustable iron smoothers, shoulder planes, bull-nose, and block planes - a range that was expanded in later years. The 1901 catalog shows several styles of planes that were unique to the Preston brand, along with the usual styles which had already been set by other makers. The death of Edward Preston Jnr was reported in the Lichfield Mercury of 26 September 1913. "Mr. Preston was decided of an innovative turn of mind," the newspaper wrote, "as many of the machines in use at his works, as well as of the tools produced were the invention of himself and his three sons, who now manage the business." The report noted that at the time of his death, the business was carried on at Whittall Works, Cheston Street, Aston, Birmingham. Falling on hard times, the firm of Edward Preston & Sons was sold to the Birmingham firm of John Rabone & Sons in 1932, and shortly thereafter manufacturing rights to some of the Preston range of planes were sold to the Sheffield firm of C. & J. Hampton, who would later merge with the Record Tool Company. Some of the Preston planes were directly added to the Record line by the Hampton firm, while others were modified or discontinued altogether. Generally, all Preston wooden planes are stamped on the front of the plane, the shape, size, and character type of the stamp indicating the age of the plane. On some metal planes, all the parts were stamped with a number or symbol during manufacture. This number was used to re-assemble the parts following a batch process. Not all Preston tools are trade-marked clearly. Early shoulder, rebate, chariot planes, and chamfer rebates commonly appear without trademarks but may have assembly numbers. The "E P" trade-mark was already in use by 1882. The trade-mark "Preston" also appears on some later tools that were manufactured in Sheffield, England. These are generally smoothing planes and appear modern and very similar in construction to other modern manufacturers' planes.The item gives a snapshot of one of England's premier tool manufacturing companies at a time when significant industrial changes were occurring in manufacturing and business structures in the World that were beginning to affect social changes.Ogee wood moulding plane Maker E Preston & Sons No 5 (Owner A T Nipe) also has A's stamped on ends and the No 7flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

By the end of the nineteenth century, the firm of Edward Preston & Sons was founded in 1825, becoming one of England's leading makers of hand tools and in many ways a British counterpart to America's "Stanley" for its wide range of quality utilitarian tools at affordable prices. Edward Preston Sr. (1798–1883) was first listed as a plane-maker at 77 Lichfield Street in the Birmingham Directory of 1833, but later listings and advertisements assert that the business was started in 1825. Preston is likewise recorded as a plane-maker living with his family in Lichfield Street in the 1841 census, at which time his younger son Edward was 6 years old. Around 1850, his son Edward left school to join his father's business and is recorded in the 1851 census as a plane-maker at his father's address. He appears to have been quite a talented and resourceful young man, as he had later been able to start up his own "wood and brass spirit level manufacturing business at 97½ Lichfield Street by 1864. By 1866, Edward Jnr had added planes, routers, joiners, coach, gun, cabinet, and carpenters tools to his line, and the following year he moved his shop from his father's address and relocated to 26 Newton Street, before moving again to much larger premises at 22–24 Whittall Street. This location became known as the Whittall Works and later was the office and factory of Edward Preston & Sons, Ltd. In 1889 Edward Preston Jnr and his three sons were brought into the firm and the name was changed to Edward Preston & Sons, becoming Edward Preston & Sons Ltd on incorporation in 1898. Part of the firm's output was a healthy line of malleable and gun-metal planes and patent adjustable iron smoothers, shoulder planes, bull-nose, and block planes - a range that was expanded in later years. The 1901 catalog shows several styles of planes that were unique to the Preston brand, along with the usual styles which had already been set by other makers. The death of Edward Preston Jnr was reported in the Lichfield Mercury of 26 September 1913. "Mr. Preston was decided of an innovative turn of mind," the newspaper wrote, "as many of the machines in use at his works, as well as of the tools produced were the invention of himself and his three sons, who now manage the business." The report noted that at the time of his death, the business was carried on at Whittall Works, Cheston Street, Aston, Birmingham. Falling on hard times, the firm of Edward Preston & Sons was sold to the Birmingham firm of John Rabone & Sons in 1932, and shortly thereafter manufacturing rights to some of the Preston range of planes were sold to the Sheffield firm of C. & J. Hampton, who would later merge with the Record Tool Company. Some of the Preston planes were directly added to the Record line by the Hampton firm, while others were modified or discontinued altogether. Generally, all Preston wooden planes are stamped on the front of the plane, the shape, size, and character type of the stamp indicating the age of the plane. On some metal planes, all the parts were stamped with a number or symbol during manufacture. This number was used to re-assemble the parts following a batch process. Not all Preston tools are trade-marked clearly. Early shoulder, rebate, chariot planes, and chamfer rebates commonly appear without trademarks but may have assembly numbers. The "E P" trade-mark was already in use by 1882. The trade-mark "Preston" also appears on some later tools that were manufactured in Sheffield, England. These are generally smoothing planes and appear modern and very similar in construction to other modern manufacturers' planes.The item gives a snapshot of one of England's premier tool manufacturing companies at a time when significant industrial changes were occurring in manufacturing and business structures in the World that were beginning to affect social changes.Ogee moulding Plane Maker E Preston & Sons sticker with date 1904 -1931flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

A tape measure on a reel contained in a leather circular case with a brass winding mechanism.Embossed makers details on leather case, serial number engraved on brass winder.j. rabone & sons