Odd Item Spotted - No Idea What it is - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

SeanStevens · 22nd Nov 2010, 9:55 am

I spotted a weird piece of kit this weekend - I wonder if any GPO operatives would know what it is and what it was used for....

Imagine a small clock about 8 inches tall, square sides and back but curved top (like a bullet). The wooden case was very high quality and obviosuly an expensive piece of kit. Now, the 'face' of this clock like device had a single 'hand' that would swing left and right from a central point. Parts of the face were missing, so I have no idea what the needle would point at.

A brass screw at the back (top) held the back on, and there were two terminals, one on each side. Underneath there were two steel blocks pointing down to the base of the device - like it was used to detect a magnetic field?

GPO was stamped on the case at the back.

ANY IDEAS

I hate not knowing

SEAN

mickjjo · 22nd Nov 2010, 11:06 am

Could it be one of these? :-

http://www.curiousscience.com/prop-h...2&categoryID=5

http://www.museumoftechnology.org.uk/expand.php?key=433

Regards, Mick.

SeanStevens · 22nd Nov 2010, 11:24 am

You are a clever one!

From my poor description you have found it! Well done, here is your reward - a virtual beer

It is a pretty beast, but the one I saw has no dial, surround or glass. Still a very well made device - I wanted it, but just couldn't buy it so incomplete.

SEAN

newlite4 · 22nd Nov 2010, 12:28 pm

Hello Sean, yes, I saw that one last week, the missing dial put me off too, it would have to go pretty cheaply what with it being so incomplete.
Neil

22nd Nov 2010, 9:55 am	#1
SeanStevens Octode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,033	Odd Item Spotted - No Idea What it is I spotted a weird piece of kit this weekend - I wonder if any GPO operatives would know what it is and what it was used for.... Imagine a small clock about 8 inches tall, square sides and back but curved top (like a bullet). The wooden case was very high quality and obviosuly an expensive piece of kit. Now, the 'face' of this clock like device had a single 'hand' that would swing left and right from a central point. Parts of the face were missing, so I have no idea what the needle would point at. A brass screw at the back (top) held the back on, and there were two terminals, one on each side. Underneath there were two steel blocks pointing down to the base of the device - like it was used to detect a magnetic field? GPO was stamped on the case at the back. ANY IDEAS I hate not knowing SEAN __________________ There are only 10 types of people, those who understand the binary system, and those who don't.

22nd Nov 2010, 11:06 am	#2
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: Odd Item Spotted - No Idea What it is Could it be one of these? :- http://www.curiousscience.com/prop-h...2&categoryID=5 http://www.museumoftechnology.org.uk/expand.php?key=433 Regards, Mick.

22nd Nov 2010, 11:24 am	#3
SeanStevens Octode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,033	Re: Odd Item Spotted - No Idea What it is You are a clever one! From my poor description you have found it! Well done, here is your reward - a virtual beer It is a pretty beast, but the one I saw has no dial, surround or glass. Still a very well made device - I wanted it, but just couldn't buy it so incomplete. SEAN __________________ There are only 10 types of people, those who understand the binary system, and those who don't.

22nd Nov 2010, 12:28 pm	#4
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	Re: Odd Item Spotted - No Idea What it is Hello Sean, yes, I saw that one last week, the missing dial put me off too, it would have to go pretty cheaply what with it being so incomplete. Neil __________________ preserving the recent past, for the distant future.