Re: What is this?
Originally Posted by
Ffosse
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It's beautiful; you should keep it. It wouldn't take an horology expert long to find out exactly what it is. Maybe that's all it is an ornate yet practical compass
No, it's definitely a portable sundial.
The string (when taut) is what casts the shadow which designates the time. The compass is to ensure it is set up in the correct direction, otherwise the time indication would be useless.
It looks like it has various means of adjusting for different times of the year.
I'll give you five bob for it!