War Department surveying tape c.1944

By John Rabone & Sons of Birmingham.  50' Surveyors' tape measure.  Leather cased with brass fittings and very neat fold-out/hinged winding knob.  The actual measure is marked in feet/inches only.  The case has fairly minor blemishes/marks and is in very good condition with a lovely patina.  We haven't pulled the tape out all the way but it appears to be in good order.  The case is War Department Broad Arrow embossed with a 1944 date.  This is the type of measure used for marking out foundations/buildings and could have been used in RAF station building and runway construction work among many other possibilities.  A lovely item in good overall condition.  Stock code M22325.