✅ SOLVED Test your skills on this one! Spent years trying to ID this.

[musclecar]

I found this in Alaska about 10 years ago, and have never been able to ID it. It is an aluminum piece, about 3 inches square. It has 15 teeth and is numbered 1-15. There is a stop preventing it from spinning freely. The back has two tabs that may have been used to mount it. ANY GUESSES?

Thanks,

MC

PS The quarter used for size was found yesterday! 1935S Yeah!

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Looks like a top of an old phone, the dialing ring in one like this.

Nope sorry too small. Also the numbers go to 15.

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

There are a few things I see that havent been mentioned and when I get a chance Ill take some pics.

 

[Bramblefind]

looking forward to it

I can't recall if something like this has been proposed already -

An old post office box dial door

 

[sapphire miner]

I believe this is a surveyors counter for field work. The tool is made light weight and can be bent to attach to a belt. The process is this, as moving from point to point a count is made. Sometimes it is ones stride and other times it could be a measure of chains in that they drug a chain and counted chains to record distance. The fact it is aluminum wouldn't effect the compass.
This is a counter for surveyors.

 

[CamoQueen]

Wow this thing is still going!!!! But its way cool tho! Hopefully someday someone will solve it!!!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I believe this is a surveyors counter for field work. The tool is made light weight and can be bent to attach to a belt. The process is this, as moving from point to point a count is made. Sometimes it is ones stride and other times it could be a measure of chains in that they drug a chain and counted chains to record distance. The fact it is aluminum wouldn't effect the compass.
This is a counter for surveyors.

I like the idea. It fits on a belt. It would match with where it was found. I googled "surveyors counter" but couldnt find anything. A pic would be cool. This is one of the better ideas. Where is CWHunter?

I was going to comment on the dial. Its very loose and will not stay on a number but upon closer examination, I see that something is missing underneath the rivet that could have made the dial much tighter. I see a round mark in the metal around the backside rivet. I am also posting some side views.

 

[Kieth-Tx]

Don't believe anything is missing underneath. That is a rivet...and over time and wear & tear, it will get loose. It IS a interesting puzzle to say the least.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Don't believe anything is missing underneath. That is a rivet...and over time and wear & tear, it will get loose. It IS a interesting puzzle to say the least.

Yes the rivet has become loose over time. It may be hard for you to see in the pic but I am studying it in person under magnification and something like a round washer has left a mark. I tried to point to it with the red arrow. Its mostly above the rivet, a curved scoring scratch or depression left in the metal from something turning. .

Something definitely left a mark. I guess its possible to have occured during the manufacturing process but at this point we cannot dismiss any clue. What do you think could have caused the mark?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Looking under magnification it also appears that the bent tab as SWR and others have mentioned has indeed either been broken or was cut with tin snips IMO. Ill try to take a magnified pic later.

Thoose are the two things I wanted to mention that may not be obvious from a picture..

1- the round scoring under/around the rivet. (pic 1)
2- the cut tab. (pic 2)

It makes it harder to ID with possible parts missing.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

I've been Googling everything I can think of related to surveying equipment and accessories, but unfortuniately have not found anything yet that resembles your item. But I did find this interesting site that shows some pretty good photos of a variety of surveying stuff. Plus the guy said he does identifications but not appraisals.

Go to the Directory first, and then from there scroll down to "Survrying Instrument and Equipment Catagories," which is highlighted in blue. Each catagory has it's own seperate collection of photos. The one I show below is from the site, and is a 1800s chain similar to the one you posted earlier. Those brass do-dads attached to the chain are called "tallies," and are used for keeping track of distances. I hope this helps, and if nothing else, maybe shoot the guy a photo and see what he has to say. If it is in fact survey related, I'm sure he would know.

SODABOB

http://www.antiquesurveying.com

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yes heres the pic of the chain. You are good at writing e-mails Bob. It would be great if you could do it.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

For anyone willing to try, it looks like he is willing to help with an ID as long as it isnt being sold on eBay. He will not open attachments so it may be best to link to this thread. http://www.antiquesurveying.com/my_mailing_and_shipping_address.htm

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Note of interest ...

I just sent the antique surveyor guy an e-mail inquiry with photos.

I'll post his response if/when I receive one.

SODABOB

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Note of interest ...

I just sent the antique surveyor guy an e-mail inquiry with photos.

I'll post his response if/when I receive one.

SODABOB

Great. . Maybe I should have asked sapphire miner if he was just guessing, but it sounds good to me.

I believe this is a surveyors counter for field work. The tool is made light weight and can be bent to attach to a belt. The process is this, as moving from point to point a count is made. Sometimes it is ones stride and other times it could be a measure of chains in that they drug a chain and counted chains to record distance. The fact it is aluminum wouldn't effect the compass.
This is a counter for surveyors.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I just cant get past the thought that it spins freely (until it hits the stop)and wont stay on the number. Even if the rivet was tighter, it would seem unreliable. Im thinking some parts are missing that would keep the wheel on the proper count number. Whatever it counts Im convinced it counts one increment at a time..

 

[Kieth-Tx]

BCH.....the mark your describing looks like a stress crack.

 

[Goodyguy]

This is getting good!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

BCH.....the mark your describing looks like a stress crack.

I studied up on stress cracks in aluminum alloys and I looked again under magnification and I would have to conclude that it is not a stress crack. I am thinking now that the circular mark was made during the manufacturing process but I am just guessing. Maybe if the rivet was tighter, it could be a reliable counter.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Good Morning ~

Here's the reply I received from the surveying expert ...

I haven't researched it yet, but I did notice he used the words, "may be/may have."

(Nor do I fully understand his meaning regarding the "chains pulled 16," etc.)

P.S. But I'd rather not bug him again for an explaination.



SBB

~ * ~

Bob

I have not seen anything like it before. It may be an "out keeper"
to keep track of the number of chains pulled 16, each chain = 66 feet.
80 chains to the mile. It may have attached to a compass as it is
non-magnetic and obviously went with something.

RP

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thanks Bob. Unfortunately it looks like another dead end. This item only has 14 numbers IMO. The pointer never reaches the number 15, certainly not 16. I agree with him that it went to something and part of it is missing.

Sapphire miner tell us if you were just guessing. Should we pursue this any further?