Sliding T Bevel Gauge 10 Inch Star Tool Co. Antique

This is a very nice, clean 10" blade sliding T-Bevel gage marked with an previous owner's name on the rosewood, and also what appear to be a patent date stamp "1867" near the owner's mark. The original patent date was Nov. 5, 1867, and the patent holder was Star Tool Co. of Middletown CT. from 1867 to 1883. The basic design is much like the later patents that this same tool maker had on bevel gages that included a level contain in the bevel handle. This is a high quality bevel gage with a heavy duty design, lots of bronze around the locking lever, and brass on the end stock. The blade is inch graduated to 9". The rosewood handle has some owners marks and carving, but I don't feel it detracts in this case, as marking ones tools was so common in the mid 19th century. The handle is in very good, solid condition, all the pins are in place, with a nice aged finish. The blade is removable, and is clean with only minor staining and very minor pitting on less than 5% of the total surfaces. A hard to find model, by a well known quality tool maker in the mid-1800's!