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COMPASS--"mantel clock" shaped brass compass--what is it from????

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Tools and Hardware3835 of 9815Help identify please 18th Century Bronze Henna "Tatoo" Stamps
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    Posted 7 years ago

    akrodog
    (51 items)

    I will always spend a buck for an item like this at any sale! Would have gone $3! Anyway, I can tell this is just a small part of a larger unit as I can see wear marks where it was bolted/screwed to the larger whole. Anybody out there have a clue what this little bugger was a part of? Piece is approx. 1-9/16" dia. at the round X 1-11/16" Tall X 2-5/16" Wide at the mounting base. Brass case is approx. 9/16" Deep.
    ANY information would be greatly appreciated!

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    Comments

    1. SpiritBear, 7 years ago
      Antenna rotator?
    2. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 7 years ago
      Well, if really a compass, it would have to mount horizontal.
    3. GeodeJem GeodeJem, 7 years ago
      Perhaps its not a compass but a car vehicle radiator external gauge?
    4. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 7 years ago
      What West Indians use to level floors in showers.
    5. UncleRon UncleRon, 7 years ago
      A little help here! IS it a compass-like needle, i.e. does it balance on a pin? Is it magnetic? Does the knurled wheel on the back turn? If so what happens when you turn it? Does that "key" shaped piece turn? If so, what happens when you turn it?
    6. AnythingObscure AnythingObscure, 7 years ago
      IF the needle on the front is connected to the 'key' and 'toothed wheel' on the back -- and all turn together back and forth -- its gotta be some kind of indicator gauge, maybe intended to show whether or not something is "level". What that particular thing IS, I have no idea but would also love to find out -- GREAT ITEM that I'd certainly pay a buck (or 3!) for, too!! :-) :-)
    7. akrodog akrodog, 7 years ago
      SpiritBear... I think not but obviously could be mistaken. BB2 & GeodeJim... Needle points north when item is held horizontal, compass in my book. UncleRon... Needle points north, knurled knob on back basically locks "key" in place as near as I can tell. The "key" rotates the lined background inside the piece. AnythingObscure... I think I covered your ?? above. Yea, I love finding neat/weird/obscure/old stuff on the cheap(some not so cheap!) and have a house full of it!!!
      Thanks to everyone for the input as well as the love!
    8. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 7 years ago
      I was thinking along the lines of sailing, where you could set a course & tell how many degrees off your heading you were. But then, it would only be useful if you were sailing due North. LOL!
    9. Onedtent, 7 years ago
      Is this not an inclinometer? As used by surveyors, forestry workers etc?
    10. akrodog akrodog, 7 years ago
      Onedtent... definitely not an inclinometer. THX for the input.

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