Nose-gage

Nose gage patent for fitting glasses 1900

An Extraordinarily Rare Fitting Tool

This nose-gage dates to December 4, 1900, and ranks among the rarest items in ophthalmic instrument collecting. A thorough search turns up only the original patent record from that date. No other documentation or surviving examples appear readily available. This steel nose-gage spectacle fitting device measured the precise dimensions needed to fit glasses properly at the turn of the twentieth century.

Solving a Real Fitting Problem

Opticians at the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s faced a genuine challenge. Every face required slightly different measurements to fit spectacles comfortably and correctly. This steel device took various fitting measurements directly from the patient’s nose and face. Those measurements then guided the optician in selecting or adjusting frame dimensions, bridge width, and temple angle for a proper, comfortable fit. Instruments like this represent an early, hands-on approach to what modern opticians now handle with digital measurement tools. You can read more about the broader history of eyeglasses and how fitting practices evolved over time.

A Mysterious Manufacturing History

The reference website devoted to patents on American machinery states that no known manufacturers exist for this particular item. However, this specific example bears the name Jos. Freidlander & Bro, an optical company active in 1900. This maker’s mark offers a rare clue into who actually produced and sold this nose-gage, even though broader manufacturing records remain elusive. That combination of an obscure patent and a named maker makes this piece particularly significant for researchers and collectors alike.

A Significant Find for Collectors

Genuine nose-gage spectacle fitting devices from this era rarely surface in any collection. This example offers a tangible connection to the practical, hands-on side of early twentieth-century opticianry. Collectors interested in related fitting and diagnostic tools may also want to browse our eye exam equipment collection.