Old gadget ID

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Old gadget ID

Postby Eremophila » Tue 07 Feb, 2023 10:45 pm

Found in my father's vast assortment of "stuff" last year.
No markings at all aside from a flower motif stamped into the leather case.
There are two small sight-glass type things which fold out, one with green glass and the other appears to be black and completely opaque.
On the opposite side there is a small button but pressing it doesn't appear to have any effect. I haven't even figured out how to open the thing.
It appears to be good quality, like all things manufactured in ye olden days, but not top quality.
I have no idea what to do with it.
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Re: Old gadget ID

Postby johnw » Wed 08 Feb, 2023 12:20 am

Some type of vintage lensatic compass maybe?
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Re: Old gadget ID

Postby Moondog55 » Wed 08 Feb, 2023 6:45 am

Possibly a collapsible theodolite ?
You will know a lot more once it is opened but take it to the Melbourne Museum for a definite answer.
Ve are too soon old und too late schmart
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Re: Old gadget ID

Postby Tyreless » Wed 08 Feb, 2023 7:04 am

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Re: Old gadget ID

Postby Moondog55 » Wed 08 Feb, 2023 7:23 am

Tyreless wrote:Looks like an old compas: https://www.wheelerantiques.co.uk/coppe ... ss-in-case


OK Problem semi-solved, now to figure out how to get it open.
Ve are too soon old und too late schmart
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Re: Old gadget ID

Postby Eremophila » Wed 08 Feb, 2023 10:35 am

Tyreless wrote:Looks like an old compas: https://www.wheelerantiques.co.uk/coppe ... ss-in-case


Oh wow! Thank you. That might give me some clues to get it open. And now I'm humming "Brass in Pocket".

There's something loose inside :( but it doesn't sound too bad.

Watch this space.
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Re: Old gadget ID

Postby Son of a Beach » Thu 09 Feb, 2023 8:06 am

Wow... nice find. My wife gave me an 1843 compass for Christmas last year. She paid $2 at an op-shop, not sure if it was even authentic. I looked it up and it's genuine and worth hundreds as an antique. (I don't plan to sell it though - I love it.)

It still works well, although the needle drags a bit. Have to angle the compass off-horizontal a little to get the needle to float freely. I guess it was made for the gravity/magnetic mix in UK, not Tasmania.
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Re: Old gadget ID

Postby Eremophila » Thu 09 Feb, 2023 9:41 pm

I was also wondering if there would be someone local, perhaps associated with the local Flagstaff Hill museum, who may know something about these. I’m a bit tied up for the next few weekends (not walking unfortunately) but it may be worth investigating.
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Re: Old gadget ID

Postby tgdavies » Mon 10 Apr, 2023 12:53 pm

Interesting that it has what look like tinted glass lenses. Does it have some sun-sighting use as well?
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