Brass item...Possibly navigational dividing compass?

[hunterV3]

I found this about 200 yds from a nearby river in the middle of the woods. There's a lot of maritime history in the area back to 1700's. Not much else found in the area that day except an 1863 IH penny and dropped musket ball. I thought it was some kind of clip until I got it home and cleaned it. Looks like the round end is some kind of hinge and the other end had steel/iron maybe points that could be resharpened? Found about 8-9" deep.

 

[Likely Guy]

I think you're on the right track. Just keep in mind that carpenters (coopers especially) also used compasses, especially the smaller variety.

 

[nhbenz]

Agreed, definitely a compass, and certainly for professional use, but used by whom would be hard to tell. I would expect it to have a makers name stamped on it somewhere, which might help date it.

 

[hunterV3]

I have had it soaking in olive oil and now it actually opens!

 

[nhbenz]

Excellent. Let us know if you find any markings. Being that it wasn't cheaply made it should have a mark somewhere -- or at least that's my guess.

 

[CoolDetector]

You got it open!? Awesome. Way to go DFX.

I have had it soaking in olive oil and now it actually opens!