[SCA-AS] Swedish measuring rod

[Saint Phlip]

As a blacksmith, I spend a fair amount of my time with other
(mundane) smiths, and last weekend I went to a meeting in RI at the
South County Museum. A gentleman there presented a measuring stick,
of a style that had been used from about 1100 CE in Swedwn, until
Sweden changed over to the metric system. This stick was designed to
hang in the local churches as the measuring standard for which
everything in Sweden was measured- only a particular smith in every
generation had the right to produce these for the various churches,
and the stick that this gentleman showed us had been made for him by
the smith who has that right today.

The item I looked at was made of (roughly) 3/4" X 3/8" bar stock. The
measuring area on it was about 23 1/4" long, divided into fourths,
with an approximately 5 1/2" long (twisted) handle.

Can anybody tell me what these things are called, and where I might
find more information out about them? I'm thinking they might be an
interesting item to make for our Norse/Viking enthusiasts, as well as
a potential A&S project.

Thanks,


-- 
Saint Phlip

Heat it up
Hit it hard
Repent as necessary.

Priorities:

It's the smith who makes the tools, not the tools which make the smith.

.I never wanted to see anybody die, but there are a few obituary
notices I have read with pleasure. -Clarence Darrow