A 22 inch bronze standard gauge by W & T Avery Ltd of London used to calculate the capacity of standard dry volume measures. Made for the County Borough of Bedford, dated 1900.

The front of the gauge is marked: DEPTH, and has a scale subdivided 0-10-15-20-25-30-35-40-41,and marked with two portcullis marks, the first dated 1900. The scale on the back of the gauge is marked: DIAMETER and is subdivide 0-10-20-30-40-50-55-60-65-75, and marked with two portcullis marks, the first dated 1923.

The sides of the gauge have the engraved instruction for use:

Side 1 reads: Measure the diameter with scale marked “DIAMETER” and take the reading. Measure the depth with the scale marked “DEPTH” and take the reading. Add the two readings.

Side 2 reads: The sum will be 10 for ½ Gill. 20 for Gill. 30 for ½ Pint. 40 for Pint. 50 for Quart. 60 for ½ Gallon. 80 for Peck. 90 for ½ Bushel. 100 for Bushel.

Original case; dimensions: 58.5 x 5.5 x 3 cm. Underside with ER cipher.

W & T Avery Ltd. was a British manufacturer of weighing machines. Established by William and Thomas Avery when they inherited a scale making business in 1813. They took the name W & T Avery in 1818. In 1891 the business became a limited company, in 1894 the shares were quoted on the London Stock Exchange. In 1895 the company bought the legendary Soho Foundry in Smethwick, a former steam engine factory owned by James Watt & Co. In 1897 the move was complete and the steam engine business was gradually converted to the manufacture of weighing machines.