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A marking gauge is used by craftsmen to mark parallel lines spaced from a fixed margin, usually the face side or edge of the workpiece. It consists of a rectangular stick with a small steel point projecting from one end, which scratches the line, and a sliding wooden block, which can be fixed in place by a wedge, to set the distance of the mark from the margin. This gauge is stamped with the name 'C. Hunt', but it is unclear whether it is the name of the maker or the owner, who may have been the same person. The steel point is almost completely worn away from use.

1 marking gauge; wood; fair condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'The marking gauge is used for scratching lines spaced from a fixed margin. On a rectangularly shaped stick a perforated wooden block slides tightly, made rigid at the required distance by a thumb screw or wedge. Projecting from the end of the stick, at right angles to it is a little steel point which scratches a line parallel to the margin. // This gauge whose origin is unknown has a rectangular stick 12.4 inches in length. The perforated wooden black, rectangular in shape but gently curved on its longer sides measures 2.5 inches in length by 1.5 inches in width and 0.65 inches in depth. On both its shorter ends is stamped the name C. HUNT. A shaped wedge similar to that found in mortising planes acts as a fixer of the wedge. The projecting steel point has been so worn down by constant use that it has almost disappeared entirely.', Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // Small articles on the Wood Table // 116. Carpenter's guage [sic]. Charles Hunt.'

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)
Hunt, Charles