A collector’s tactile approach to perforation matching

Feb 17, 2026, 9 AM

By Linn’s Staff

Longtime collector Rodger McReynolds has developed a three-dimensional perforation gauge that allows stamps to be matched physically against raised reference ridges, offering a tactile alternative for identifying perforation sizes.

Rather than aligning perforation tips against printed dots or lines on a flat surface, as is the case with traditional perforation gauges, the device lets collectors place a stamp directly against raised reference ridges corresponding to specific perforation values and then judge the fit by both sight and touch.

When a stamp is tested against the correct perforation section, the perforation tips settle cleanly between the raised ridges. When placed against an incorrect value, misalignment is immediately apparent.

McReynolds said that this can help reduce ambiguity when confirming closely spaced perforation values. The gauge relies on physical fit rather than visual alignment alone.

The gauge performs best with stamps that have well-defined perforations. Stamps with damaged, irregular or ragged perforations may be more challenging, although McReynolds notes that such stamps can be difficult to evaluate with flat gauges as well. Stamps still attached to paper (on piece) cannot be measured.

McReynolds generated the designs entirely through custom computer code, using calculations for all dimensions, including ridge spacing, height and layout. Perforation values can be produced in quarter-perf increments and arranged in any sequence.

Each finished gauge is printed from the same digital master file and the same make and model of 3D printer, ensuring consistency between devices within the normal tolerances of the printing process. McReynolds reports that multiple copies show no measurable variation.

While the underlying design allows for a wide range of perforation values to be generated, he plans to standardize production to a consistent black-and-white format.

McReynolds describes the device as a primary measuring tool that can be compared against traditional flat gauges for confirmation.

The project fits within a long tradition of collector-driven experimentation in the hobby. While flat perforation gauges remain the standard reference, McReynolds’ design offers collectors another option, particularly when eye strain, lighting or borderline measurements complicate readings.

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