A compression gauge cartridge for use mounted in a cartridge bay of a cartridge jaw member comprising an end effector of a surgical stapler instrument to compress a tissue consistently to a predetermined thickness and measure a reactionary load therefrom comprises: a cartridge body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tissue supporting surface, wherein the cartridge body is configured to be releasably mounted in the cartridge bay; a force gauge assembly comprising a force transducer and a compression head having a tissue compression face, wherein the force gauge assembly is supported by the cartridge body positioned between the proximal end and the distal end thereof, and wherein the compression head is configured and disposed so that the tissue compression face thereof lies substantially closer to the tissue contacting surface of the anvil jaw member than the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body; and a spacer member extending from the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body, wherein the force gauge assembly is positioned distally with respect to the spacer member.