Posted 14 years ago
FoxysMyGirl
(1 item)
I don't know exactly what this item is. I am very curious to see if anyone knows what it is used for. My mother died in 1987 and I have many, many cool items that I inherited from her that have been in our family for generations. My problem is that this time, I don't know what this is. Her father was in WW2 as a fighter pilot so maybe it was his. Her uncle was Jesse H. Jones from Houston, TX, and I have a lot of items from his home that he gave to her. Maybe it was his? He gave her a set of silver flatware that he received as a gift on a visit to The White House, so he gave her several really interesting items. I just don't know if this came from him or her father. She always used to tell me the history of different pieces, but being young and thinking I would always have her, I didn't pay very close attention at times. Live and learn! That piece to the left in one of the pictures fits on the back but I don't really know why. If anyone knows what this is and if it has any value I would be interested in knowing. I wouldn't sell my family items but I would like to know what I have. Thank you for your time in reading this. I would appreciate input on this item.
Amy Smith, Texas City, TX
I think it is an early lensatic compass. Much older than WWII
Interesting entry about Jacob Blattner here. http://www.surveyhistory.org/st__louis_instrument_makers1.htm
Thank you for the information! I appreciate the link to the website. That is very helpful.
Thank you very much for the information! This may be a stupid question, but do you mean surveyor's compass, like the kind of surveyor who does the land surveys? I am just wondering what it's actual purpose was, and which one of my relatives would have had something like that and for what reason. I don't think I have any surveyors in my family history. Then again, we all seem to like to collect interesting items. I have had it in a closet for years without knowing what it was.
Thanks!
Amy
Thank you very much for your information. It all makes perfect sense, except for the family fact that I don't think we have any surveyors anywhere in my family tree. I wish I had asked my mom where it came from and how we ended up with it. I appreciate your comments and help. At least now I know what it is for sure. Thank you!