Another gem from an estate

[BayRockMan]

We had no clue what it was. Neither did the auctioneer. But you knew it was an old and delicate instrument. Marked "Chas. C. Hutchinson Boston English" we bought it. Took a little digging to figure out what it was and how to use it. Modern versions are in use to this day but certainly does make one admire the sheer ingenuity of the folks in the previous centuries. I'll leave this unidentified for a couple of days to see if anyone recognizes it.

 

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[PullTabProphet]

Can't put my finger on it but, possibly nautical. Sextant box or some sort of transit level?

 

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

With the level bubbles, hmmm, almost like a primitive stud finder or something hah

 

[meanpc]

It's obviously used to level your pool table

 

[worldtalker]

Three point level can get very precise,that's how we did machinery and granite surface plates,
other than that I ain't got a clue.


GOD Bless

Chris

 

[diverrick]

My guess is a survey or buildng tool, based on the fine leveling accuracy it can do. Once level, you had a perfectly flat plane for a reference from, which would give you a perfect horizontal plane.

 

[dumpsterdiver]

Clearly its a very, very primitive Etch-a-sketch. Where you would take hours to draw something with those two knobs at the bottom. Probably a bald headed man.

Some sort of surveying tool is my best guess.

 

[Beachkid23]

Clearly its a very, very primitive Etch-a-sketch. Where you would take hours to draw something with those two knobs at the bottom. Probably a bald headed man. Some sort of surveying tool is my best guess.

I spit out my drink laughing!!!

 

[BayRockMan]

This is an artificial horizon for use with a sextant when a natural horizon is not available (usually on land). To create the artificial horizon, you just level the black glass surface. To determine the angle of a star with the horizon, you use a sextant to align the star with the reflection of the star off of the artificial horizon's black glass. Then just divide the sextant's angle reading by 2 to get the angle the star makes with the natural horizon. Circa 1883 to early 1900s.

 

[PullTabProphet]

Ah Haaaa!!!!!

I was close then!

Is there a prize perhaps?

 

[BayRockMan]

Ah Haaaa!!!!!

I was close then!

Is there a prize perhaps?

Bragging rights!