is it something that an Eye Doctor would use to fit someone for new prescription lenses?
Guess that mysterious item
- Thread starter AlanL
- Start date
Nope.
OK, I just went for a little wander around the house and found this...
Very nice. Do you use it any?
Phil
Nah, I haven't. But it looks cool on a shelf.
I would guess it as an all-metal version from between WWII and the 1970's.
I have used plastic practice versions, with amusing results.
Phil
I have used plastic practice versions, with amusing results.
Phil
Way off base, time wise. Say what you think it is. If you are close enough I'll show a picture of the whole thing.
A sextant
When I took sightings with a practice sextant I was in Toledo Ohio and put myself nearly in Florida.
Phil
When I took sightings with a practice sextant I was in Toledo Ohio and put myself nearly in Florida.
Phil
Close enough. It is actually a mariners octant, the precursor of the sextant. This one is made of ebony and from the 1700's. I found it in a box of junk at a rubbish tip store. They had no idea what it was, so I got it for $5. The reason I haven't tried to use it is because it is missing the scale that went along the bottom, and would have been carved on ivory.
Wow, beautiful too. I wouldn't have thought it wood! It is so tight looking. It really looks like it is metal with flat black paint on it.
I don't have anything for the next round though. Problem with having a brain full of almost useless stuff...
Phil
I don't have anything for the next round though. Problem with having a brain full of almost useless stuff...
Phil
Nothing for the next round? I'll go have another look around the place then.
What's this?
What's this?
A pair of binoculars ... they had these on the observation deck of the Empire State Building.
You put a coin in the triangular thingie on top, and that would allow you a set number of minutes to look through the lenses.
The hinge at the bottom threw me for a minute, until I realized you would need to be able to tilt it up and down.
You put a coin in the triangular thingie on top, and that would allow you a set number of minutes to look through the lenses.
The hinge at the bottom threw me for a minute, until I realized you would need to be able to tilt it up and down.
Wrong! (I knew someone would say that.) 
a stereoscope?
Yep! It's a model A View-Master, the first model they made.
Sort of like a double ring to View-Master collectors.
Sort of like a double ring to View-Master collectors.
OK - Something i found around the house...(mouse for scale)
Butter churn paddle?
Child motivator?
Paint mixer.
No - but it is intended for use with dairy products
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