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A cast iron level in a wooden box with a hinged lid, used for trueing marking staffs to test their accuracy. A marking staff was used to mark the rough or projecting portions of a millstone, which were then scraped level. This level was used by Herbert Lavender at the windmill in Christchurch, Cambridgeshire. The windmill was was demolished circa 1946.

MERL Recording Form – ‘Who used it: The late Herbert Lavender, Miller // When was it used: Believed to have been used up until time of demolition of windmill. // How was it used: See bottom of opposite page. // Where was it used: At corn grinding windmill in Christchurch near March, Cambridgeshire. Mill demolished about 1946, when I obtained the staff. // Has it a local name: Possibly. // When this object was used do you know if it was common on many parts of the country or only in the place from which it came: Believed to have been in general use. // Who made it: Unknown. // When was it used: Unknown. // Where was it made: Unknown. // From what materials is the object made: Cast iron (in wooden box). // Is it corroded or broken or damaged in any way: The cast iron “proven” is undamaged, and as last used. It has been protected by grease since. The wooden box is worm-eaten and the ends are missing. // What are its approximate measurements: 4 ft. long x 4” wide. // Have you a photograph of the object: No. // Has it any unusual characteristics: No. // Additional information: Below. // 3 [How was it used]: The proof staff is a long narrow, cast iron surface plate mounted in a protective wooden box with hinged lid, and its purpose is to test the accuracy of the wooden “Paint Staff” or “Stone Staff”. Every time the miller dresses a pair of stones he “proves the staff”, and to do this a small quantity of oil is applied to the metal “prover” or “proof”, and the “Stone Staff” lightly rubbed upon it. The high places are marked with oil and are then reduced by scraping. Alternate rubbing and scraping are carried out until the Staff has even marking throughout its entire length. // A rubbing brass is applied to the surface of the stone to the dressed, in order to smooth it and prevent scratching the staff. “Staffing” now follows, a little “Tiver”, made from real iron oxide mixed with water is applied to the face of the staff, after which it is laid on the stone and rotated over the whole surface. The Tiver should be evenly distributed over the whole working surface of the stone.’, Letter, D. R. Smith to MERL, 27 November 1965 – ‘This is to confirm the telephone conversation today in which I enquired the suitability of an article I have to offer the museum. // The item in question is a devise used by the mills in the dressing of stones used for grinding corn. It was known as the “METAL PROVER”, in a wooden case & as you no doubt are aware this was used for testing the accuracy of the “stone staff”, a straight edge applied to the stone’s surface. I have noticed that you already have a “Mill Bill” for actually dressing the stones, in your collection. // The cast iron “Prover” is in good condition & greased, but the wooden box shows its age. I would suggest that both would make interesting exhibits. There is also an iron bold about 12” long with square head & nut, hand-forged, and which came from the same windmill at Christchurch, near March, Cambridgeshire. // …’