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Explanation of Types

Type Description Examples
Flush Bracket These are rectangular metal plates affixed to triangulation pillars, walls, buildings etc. If they are not affixed to a triangulation pillar they are often referred to as Non-Pillar Flush Brackets (NPFB). They are about 6" x 3" in size and the location of most of them is known through Ordnance Survey (OS) records. Each Flush Bracket (FB) has a unique serial number which makes them highly 'collectable' and there are several numbering types.  
  One to four figure number
The earliest FBs you can find and date from 1912-1921. Numbered from 1-3000. A few can be found on triangulation pillars.
5
  S-prefix
Introduced in the 1920s these are found on pillars and as NPFBs. There are two sub-types, S below the number and S left of the number.
S0950
S8628
  G-prefix
First appeared in 1936. Unlike S-series brackets numbers below 1000 do not have leading zeroes. Used extensively in Scotland and never found on triangulation pillars.
G3646
  L-prefix
Just sixteen brackets used in London in the early 1930s.
 
  Five figure number
These are effectively S-series brackets above S9999 where they ran out of room for the S (S-below was discontinued as the S interfered with the measuring equipment).
11328
Projecting Bracket An early type of metal bracket used for a short time before the introduction of flush brackets. They are all the same and have no unique attributes. Reading, Greyfriar's Church
OSBM Bolt Used alongside the G-series of flush brackets these are placed where there wasn't a convenient building or wall to provide a vertical surface on which to affix a flush bracket. They are domed metal bolts about 1" (50-60mm) in diameter fixed to horizontal surfaces engraved with OSBM and the benchmark symbol. Caban Coch Dam
Cut Bench Mark By far the most common type. Used and made from the 1800s to around 20 years ago. You won't have to walk (or drive) very far in any village, town or city in Britain before you spot one of these. Chiseled into stone, brick or wood on all sorts of vertical structures. A familiar horizontal levelling line with a three line arrow pointing towards it (usually upwards). Each one is unique depending on the mason who cut it, some are plain, some decorated. Some roughly cut, some exquisitely cut with high accuracy. Some small, some huge. Wallingford, 60 High Street
Cut Bench Mark with Bolt Old and rare these have a metal bolt screwed either alongside the horizontal cut of a cut bench mark or at the point of the cut arrowhead. Usually has what appears as a screwhead horizontal in the head of the bolt. These are highly prized by benchmarkers. Dorchester Abbey
Rivet Usually found on horizontal surfaces these are cut marks with a small metal domed brass rivet at the apex of the cut arrowhead marks. Swyncombe, Icknield Field
Pivot Fairly rare these are used on horizontal surfaces such as soft sandstone, where the insertion of a rivet would break away the stone. They consist of a small hole or depression cut to take a pivot, a steel ball bearing of 5/8" diameter (16mm). In use, the pivot is placed in the depression and the levelling staff held on top of the pivot. Sutton Bridge
Fundamental Bench Mark These are the key to the whole levelling of the UK. Granite blocks with large domed metal caps. Just like an iceberg this is just the tip of a fairly extensive underground structure. Highly accurate height stations still used today as the baseline to levelling. Conwy
Triangulation Pillar Familiar to anyone who walks in the British countryside, these can often (but not always) be found at hilltops. Most have a flush bracket affixed to one side. Huntingland
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2014

December 2014
Cut Bench MarkAbingdon, Bath Street Boundary Stone
Cut Bench MarkReading, Abbey Gateway
Cut Bench MarkReading, Forbury Gardens
November 2014
DestroyedSouthampton, Pirelli Cable Works (N)
DestroyedSouthampton, Pirelli Cable Works (S)
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, 16 Portland Terrace
Cut Bench Mark with BoltSouthampton, St Michael's Church
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, 48 Bugle Street
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, St John's School
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, 15 Bugle Street
Cut Bench Mark with BoltSouthampton, West Gate
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, Cement Terrace
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, Town Wall
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, Forty Steps
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, 104A East Street
DestroyedSouthampton, Electricity Board Depot
DestroyedSouthampton, Back of the Walls
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, South Western House
Flush Bracket2941 - Southampton, Board of Trade
Cut Bench Mark with BoltSouthampton, South Gate
Flush Bracket2970 - Southampton, Castle
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, Tower House
Flush Bracket2971 - Southampton, Town Quay
DestroyedSouthampton, The Sun Hotel
DestroyedSouthampton, 66 High Street
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, Merchant Navy Memorial
DestroyedSouthampton, 19-21 High Street
DestroyedSouthampton, Alfred Marks Bureau
UnknownSouthampton, Norwich Union House
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, 127 Above Bar Street
UnknownSouthampton, 8 Carlton Crescent
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, 5 Rockstone Place
UnknownSouthampton, 15 Rockstone Place
Fundamental BenchmarkSouthampton FBM
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, 2 Brunswick Place
Cut Bench MarkSouthampton, 16 Brunswick Place
DestroyedSouthampton, East Park
Destroyed2942 - Southampton, Empress Dock, Engine House
DestroyedSouthampton, Orchard Place
Cut Bench Mark with BoltWestminster, Lower Grosvenor Place
Cut Bench MarkWestminster, Lower Grosvenor Place (W)
UnknownWestminster, 19-21 Grosvenor Gardens
Cut Bench MarkWestminster, Grosvenor Gardens
Cut Bench MarkFaversham, Railway Station
Cut Bench MarkFaversham, Methodist Church
Cut Bench MarkFaversham, 66 Preston Street
Cut Bench MarkFaversham, Borough Council Offices
Cut Bench MarkFaversham, The Swan Inn
UnknownFaversham, 1 Abbey Street
Flush BracketS0707 - Faversham, St Mary of Charity Church
UnknownFaversham, St Mary Court
UnknownFaversham, Police Station
Cut Bench MarkFaversham, Baptist Church
Cut Bench MarkFaversham, 50 St Mary's Road
Cut Bench MarkFaversham, 124 St Mary's Road
UnknownFaversham, The Water Tower
UnknownFaversham, Station Road
Flush BracketS0541 - St Paul's Cathedral
Cut Bench MarkLondon, 73 Pancras Road
October 2014
Cut Bench MarkCardiff, Pierhead Building
RivetCardiff, National Assembly Quay
Cut Bench MarkSt Fagans Museum, Melin Wlân Esgair-moel
Cut Bench MarkSt Fagans Museum, Melin Bompren
UnknownBarry, Harbour Road Bridge
DestroyedBarry, Rear Access Lane
DestroyedBarry, 12 Friar's Road
UnknownBarry, Friar's Point House
DestroyedBarry, Friar's Point Café
Cut Bench MarkBarry, Paget Road
DestroyedBarry, Ambulance Room
RivetBarry, Promenade Sea Wall
RivetBarry, Plymouth Road Railway Bridge
Flush BracketS9111 - Penarth, Schooner Inn
Cut Bench MarkPenarth, Cliff Hill
Cut Bench MarkPenarth, Ashdene Manor
Cut Bench MarkPentwyn, Coed-y-Gores
Cut Bench MarkCardiff, Adam Street Railway Bridge
Cut Bench MarkCardiff, Duke of Wellington
Cut Bench MarkCardiff, The Potted Pig
Cut Bench MarkCardiff, Castle Clock Tower
Flush BracketS9109 - Cardiff, Duke Stret
Cut Bench MarkHolt, Hall's Farm
Flush BracketG3657 - Lechlade-on-Thames, Downington
Flush BracketG3656 - Lechlade-on-Thames, Market Place
September 2014
Cut Bench MarkWoolstone, Woolstone Farm
Cut Bench MarkMoira, Ashby Road Railway Bridge
Cut Bench MarkRockingham, Sondes Arms
Flush Bracket10167 - Twyford, Village Hall
Cut Bench MarkMoira, Bath Lane Railway Bridge
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, Tollgate Cottage
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, Bridge End Wall
UnknownWarwick, 107 Bridge End
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, 52 Bridge End
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, 32 Bridge End
Flush Bracket526 - Warwick, Castle Bridge
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, Banbury Road
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, 1 St Nicholas Park
DestroyedWarwick, St Nicholas Park
Cut Bench Mark with BoltWarwick, 24 Mill Street
DestroyedWarwick, 18 St Nicholas Church Street
DestroyedWarwick, Tink-a-Tank
Flush Bracket608 - Warwick, Police Station
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, Castle Archway
DestroyedWarwick, 15 Old Square
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, 6 New Street
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, 72 Market Place
DestroyedWarwick, 37 High Street
DestroyedWarwick, 21 High Street
Cut Bench Mark with BoltWarwick, St. Mary's Church
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, St Mary's Church Wall
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, Lord Leycester Hotel
DestroyedWarwick, 7 Smith Street
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, 27 Smith Street
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, Castle Limes Hotel
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, 39 Coten End
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, 40 Coten End
UnknownWarwick, 1 Emscote Road
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, Knowle Villa, Broad Street
Cut Bench MarkWarwick, Wharf Street Railway Bridge
DestroyedWarwick, Wharf Street
August 2014
DestroyedCulham, 12 Tollgate Road
Cut Bench MarkRhôs Lligwy, Gatepost
Triangulation PillarS7305 - Parys Mountain
Triangulation PillarS7324 - Mynydd Bodafon
Cut Bench MarkMynydd Bodafon, Wall Junction
Flush BracketS7548 - Llanallgo, School
Triangulation PillarS1633 - Holyhead
Cut Bench MarkSouth Stack, Upper Steps
Cut Bench MarkSouth Stack, Middle Steps
Cut Bench MarkSouth Stack, Lower Steps
Cut Bench MarkLlanbadrig, St Patrick's Cottage
Cut Bench MarkCemaes, Castellor Hotel
Cut Bench MarkCemaes, St Patrick's Church
DestroyedCemaes, 1 Bridge Street
DestroyedCemaes, Village Hall
Flush BracketS7552 - Cemaes Bay, Harbour View
DestroyedCaernarfon, 26 Cei Banc
RivetCaernarfon, Doc Fictoria, Pier Entrance
RivetCaernarfon, Caernarfon Marina
RivetCaernarfon, Victoria Dock
Cut Bench Mark with BoltCaernarfon, St Mary's Church
Cut Bench MarkCaernarfon, Y Promenad, Tower
Cut Bench MarkCaernarfon, Y Promenad, Arch
DestroyedCaernarfon, 4 Stryd Pedwar a Chwech
Cut Bench MarkCaernarfon, 20 Stryd Fawr
UnknownCaernarfon, Pendist
Cut Bench MarkCaernarfon, Porth Mawr
Cut Bench MarkCaernarfon, Pool Lane
Flush BracketG2754 - Caernarfon, Post Office
RivetCaernarfon, Castell Caernarfon, Twr Du
Cut Bench MarkDulas, Ty'n-y-pwll
DestroyedDulas, Tan Y Banc
DestroyedDulas, Penrhyn Farm
Cut Bench MarkConwy, Sychnant Pass Road
Cut Bench MarkPenrhos, Railway Bridge
DestroyedG4951 - Penrhos, Bridge Lodge
Flush BracketS7547 - Benllech, Congregational Chapel
Cut Bench MarkBeaumaris, 51 Castle Street
DestroyedS7545 - Beaumaris, Grammar School
Cut Bench MarkBeaumaris, Park Wall Post
Cut Bench MarkMaenaddwyn, Gatepost
Cut Bench MarkLlandyfrydog, St Tyfrydog's Church
Cut Bench MarkLlandyfrydog, Gatepost
UnknownLlandyfrydog, Pont Felin-esgob
Cut Bench MarkLlandyfrydog, Melin Esgob
Cut Bench MarkMynydd Bodafon, Capel Caersalem
Flush BracketG4967 - Brynrefail
RivetRhôs Lligwy, Pont-y-felin
Cut Bench MarkTraeth Lligwy, Gatepost
July 2014
DestroyedCrewe, Station Building
Cut Bench MarkCrewe, Nantwich Road Railway Bridge
Cut Bench MarkCrewe, 4 Gresty Road
Cut Bench MarkCrewe, South Street News
Cut Bench MarkCrewe, 38 Bedford Street
Cut Bench MarkCrewe, 41 Laura Street
Cut Bench MarkCrewe, Unipart Rail
UnknownCrewe, Yew Tree Farm
Cut Bench MarkCrewe, Gresty Road Motors
Cut Bench MarkCrewe, YMCA Foyer
Cut Bench MarkEastleigh, Comrade's Institute and Club
DestroyedEastleigh, Leigh Road PC
Cut Bench MarkEastleigh, The Home Tavern
Cut Bench MarkVernham Street, Fowlers Farm
DestroyedStreatley, Wantage Road
RivetNorth Stoke, Cook Lane
Cut Bench MarkNorth Stoke, St Mary's Church
Cut Bench MarkNorth Stoke, The Street Bridge
Cut Bench MarkCarmel College, Water's Edge
Flush BracketG1791 - Carmel College Lodge
Cut Bench MarkCrowmarsh Gifford, Carmel College Entrance
June 2014
Flush BracketS6431 - Filkins, The Lamb Inn
Cut Bench MarkBurford, 124 High Street
Cut Bench MarkHampton Hill, Hampton Hill New Gate
UnknownStoke Row, Busgrove Lane
Cut Bench MarkStoke Row, St John's Church
UnknownCheckendon, Black Horse PH
Cut Bench MarkIpsden, Scot's Common
UnknownIpsden, Three Corner Common
Cut Bench MarkIpsden, Garsons Farm
UnknownIpsden, Garsons Hill
UnknownIpsden, Garsons Lane
Cut Bench MarkCheckendon, Wheeler's Farm
Flush BracketG3009 - Llangollen, Smithfield Hotel
Cut Bench MarkWoodside, The Crispin PH
Cut Bench MarkKingston upon Thames, 43 High Street
Flush BracketS0960 - Kingston upon Thames, All Saints' Church
Flush BracketS0959 - Kingston upon Thames, Town Hall
Cut Bench MarkHampton, Lower Sunbury Road
Cut Bench MarkKnowl Hill, Seven Stars PH
May 2014
Cut Bench MarkLeicester, Royal Infirmary
Cut Bench MarkLeicester, Holy Trinity Church
Cut Bench Mark with BoltLeicester, County Gaol
Cut Bench MarkSwindon, Rodbourne Road Railway Bridge
DestroyedSwindon, St Mark's Churchyard
Cut Bench MarkSwindon, St Mark's Church
Cut Bench MarkSwindon, Church Place Wall
Cut Bench MarkSwindon, Rodbourne Road
DestroyedG2525 - Parkway Water Tower
DestroyedG4044 - Cholsey Hill, Pumping Station
Fundamental BenchmarkBuckland FBM
Cut Bench MarkCholsey, The Old School
Cut Bench MarkCholsey, Church Road Wall
Cut Bench MarkBroad Hinton, Primary School
Cut Bench MarkWootton Rivers, Railway Bridge
Flush BracketG3642 - Long Wittenham, The Vine
Cut Bench MarkMilton Park Trading Estate
Flush BracketG4693 - Whitefield Farm
Flush BracketG2904 - Brockenhurst, St. Saviour's Church
Cut Bench MarkFrogham, Crossroads Cottage
Cut Bench MarkOxford, Balliol College (E)
Cut Bench MarkOxford, Bear Lane
Cut Bench Mark with BoltOxford, County Hall
Cut Bench MarkEast Hagbourne, St Andrew's Church
Cut Bench MarkEast Hagbourne, 24A Main Road
RivetBlewbury, Wantage 9 Milestone
Cut Bench MarkWest Hagbourne, Foxglove Lane
DestroyedBurcot, Abingdon Road
Cut Bench MarkBerinsfield, Abingdon Road
April 2014
UnknownBlewbury, Blewburton Barns
Cut Bench MarkAston Upthorpe, Blewburton Hall
Cut Bench MarkAston Upthorpe, All Saints' Church
Cut Bench MarkAston Tirrold, The Chequers
Cut Bench MarkAston Tirrold, Chalk Hill Wall
RivetAston Tirrold, St Michael's Church
Cut Bench MarkLullington, Lullington Court
Cut Bench MarkHerstmonceux, All Saints' Church
Triangulation PillarS3986 - Wilmington Hill
Triangulation Pillar11492 - Transit Meridian
Cut Bench MarkHastings, Bexhill Road Railway Bridge
Cut Bench MarkWinchelsea, Rectory Lane/High Street
Triangulation PillarS6244 - Hill Farm Winchelsea
Cut Bench MarkEastbourne, Holy Trinity Church
Cut Bench MarkEastbourne, 4 Devonshire Place
March 2014
Cut Bench MarkOxford, Merton Grove
Cut Bench MarkOxford, Christ Church College, SW Buttress
January 2014
Cut Bench MarkPortsmouth, Historic Dockyard, Victory Gate
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Explanation of Types
Flush BracketFlush Bracket(252)
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