Gauge

We like rummaging in antique and second hand shops and came across this mortise gauge recently. This would have been used to mark the position and depth required to fit a tenon, for example for a mortice lock. Made of rosewood or similar, it's quite weighty and nicely finished but the big selling point is that is bears Mr Flum's name and initial.

Traditionally, workmen stamped their name on their tools, to prevent any mixup with another's on the same job or workshop, as these were valuable items for their trade. I have a spoke-shave bought from the charity shop our church ran, finding later that it had belonged to a member of the congregation.