MWTCA October 2016 "What's It" Contest

[HandyDan]

I searched for it under picture framing thinking it might be used for sizing matting but struck out there too.  Having a small rack and pinion adjustment and then hand stamped numbers sounds like it may have been repurposed but from what?

[John Morris]

I am kind of stuck on the whole solid brass thing, why is anything solid brass? Because it is exposed to high moisture or water correct? Solid brass = ships instrument? Mapping tool?

[HandyDan]

12 minutes ago, John Morris said:

I am kind of stuck on the whole solid brass thing, why is anything solid brass? Because it is exposed to high moisture or water correct? Solid brass = ships instrument? Mapping tool?

 

That's what I thought and searched for it under navigation tools and struck out there also.

 

[HandyDan]

I also thought it might be an early slide rule and came close there but no cigar.

 

[John Morris]

Cool research source Dan, love the graphic. It may have already been mentioned here, but it also appears to be some sort of gauge that should attach to a machine.

[HARO50]

9 hours ago, John Morris said:

I am kind of stuck on the whole solid brass thing, why is anything solid brass? Because it is exposed to high moisture or water correct? Solid brass = ships instrument? Mapping tool?

Or it was simply easier to work with than steel. Or readily available.

John