What Is It?

The Reporter week of August 28 "What Is It?" answer: Wantage Rod Ruler

Wantage rod rulers are used to determine the empty volume within a partially-filled cask (typically containing alcoholic beverages), usually for inventory ordering purposes, but possibly for excise taxation & customs determination, as well. The word "wantage" meaning the lack of something, therefore measures the material missing in an enclosed space. To use a wantage rod, one inserts the rod vertically into the level wooden cask (resting on its side) through the bung hole, and places the brass stop just inside the inner surface of the staves to measure the liquid level on the rule. Depending on the overall cask volume, the user reads the empty volume of the cask directly from the liquid level on the proper scale. This information comes from thedancherry Instagram page.

This particular ruler was made by Belcher Brothers & Co. of New York. Thomas Belcher began making rules in New York in 1821 and was joined by his brother, William, in 1825. Around 1831, another brother, Charles, joined the firm, and the company's name was changed from T. & W. Belcher to Belcher Brothers. Around 1843, manufacturing of rules moved to New Jersey and the firm went by the name Belcher & Bros. Around 1853 some of the men's sons joined the firm, and the name was changed to Belcher Bros. & Co. The company had become the largest American manufacturer of rules, but it was surpassed by Stanley in the second half of the 19th century. Belcher stopped manufacturing rules around 1877. Based on this information, this ruler dates to between 1853 and 1877. 

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