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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: vb32685 on January 21, 2013, 02:09:25 AM

Title: found this in a safe
Post by: vb32685 on January 21, 2013, 02:09:25 AM

I found this in my grandmas safe after she passed away and we have no idea what it is.

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: rockandrollrods on January 21, 2013, 02:25:07 AM

I can't tell for sure, but it looks like a compass.

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: cogar on January 21, 2013, 03:18:15 AM

Well, I guess it could be used for a "quick check" of ... or to draw up a deed plat .

I have drawn up 2 or 3 plats such as this one via use of a protractor, , to wit:

(http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohwarren/Deeds/assets/hill_wagoner_plat_600.jpg)

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: bigwull on January 21, 2013, 03:19:42 AM

just don,t expect to find your way home with it if you get lost

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: mart on January 21, 2013, 08:49:52 AM

You didn`t give size which would help but it looks like an antique surveyers compass that is missing the face plate !! It would have had NSEW on it !!

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: Rauville on January 21, 2013, 09:27:14 AM

Clinometer?  Used to determine the degree of grade.

Here's something similar:
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/rare-late-1800s-heavy-brass-inclinometer-clinometer (http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/rare-late-1800s-heavy-brass-inclinometer-clinometer)

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on January 21, 2013, 12:38:29 PM

Clinometer is my guess also. There are many types of them used to determine how far your sailboat is heeled over (tipping to one side) in the water. (http://cdn102.iofferphoto.com/img3/item/525/669/675/l_UdOqbarigo-marine-clinometer-oil-damping-brass-made-in-ger.jpg)

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: bigwull on January 21, 2013, 12:47:35 PM

what about stiletto,s.... ;D

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: cogar on January 22, 2013, 03:02:48 AM

Quote from: Rauville on January 21, 2013, 09:27:14 AM

Clinometer?  Used to determine the degree of grade.

Don't ya need a built in "bubble" level to determine degree of grade? ??? ???
 
The description at the worthpoint link suggested the same as I did .....

Quote

This item may have been for use in map-making for a cartographer or as a surveyor's instrument.

I'll hafta post a picture of what I think is a RR "track laying" clinometer, .... at least I know for a fact that it was made in Railroad, Pennsylvania.

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: KC on January 22, 2013, 11:48:31 AM

I was thinking inclinometer...irre gardless, for clinometer and inclinometer the numbers are different.  Base point on this is 90 not 0.

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: mart on January 22, 2013, 12:03:45 PM

I didn`t even notice that the numbers were only on bottom half !!  Had my great grandaughter ( age 5 ) for overnight visit !!

Title: Re: found this in a safe
Post by: KC on January 22, 2013, 12:07:25 PM

Mart, The numbers are usually along the bottom for a clinometer or inclinometer.  But the center point is generally 0.