Wing Caliper

Date1775-1825

MediumIron

DimensionsOverall Length: 18" Arms: 16 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1993-310

DescriptionClassic Birmingham iron caliper with two equal chamfered, filed and curved legs, joined at the top by an incised disc-shaped hinge. Wing with a shaped end morticed into the left hand leg, passing through the right hand leg where it is secured by a large heart-shaped thumb screw.
Label TextLooking very much like a compass with outwardly curving arms, calipers were made to measure the outside dimensions of things that weren’t flat and easily measure by a rule. The woodworker would gauge a dimension with the caliper, turn the screw to lock the tool, and then measure the distance between the tips.