They were the best (according to them) I had a Brown and Sharpe 6" dial caliper that worked like butter. So smooth and precise. It got dropped on it's head on the concrete and stripped the rack teeth. I donated it to the local car club for a "Best Engineered" trophy.
I have a Brown/Sharpe 0-1" micrometer that I absolutely loved for making core pins. Like you say absolute butter. My biggest fear to this day is dropping these tools. Shockproof? Yeah right. J.Rob