Ebony and Brass Rolling Straight Edge Rule, HNB Mk II B6292

This Vintage Ebony and Brass Rolling Straight Edge Rule, by Houghton & Butcher, would have been used by an Architect, Navigator, Engineering Draughtsman or Surveyor and rolled up and down a drawing board. The rule is ebony and the heavy square rod between the rollers and the knurled rollers are solid brass with a beautiful aged patina. The two ebony edges of the straight edge are opposite facing 45 degree angles.

There are no measurement increments or makers mark on this straight edge as it was an Engineering/ Maritime tool designed to produce straight lines. The roller wheels roll free, easy and true. The straight edge measures 15 inches long x 2 1/4 inches wide.

The rear plate carries the initials HNB (Houghton eNsign Butcher) Mk II B6292. Houghton Butcher were a well known British Manufacturer of Optical, Scientific and Photographic products. They were famous for their magic lanterns and ‘Ensign’ brand of cameras. Ensign was also the selling wing of H&B products.

This heavy rolling straight edge rule is extremely well manufactured and it is hard to date precisely but we estimate 1930s, after the formation of Ensign Ltd and prior to the bombing of the factory in 1940 during WW2.

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