Hilger & Watts instrument

[andrewn]

Does anyone know what this instrument is used for? I was thinking it was for some sort of surveying work but as both assemblies are connected together by the power cord they have to be placed close to each other. The power supply powers a lamp in each assembly. Many thanks, Andrew.

[Tractionist]

Hilger Watts definitely made many fine surveyors instruments .... levels, theodolites and squares etc. - but god knows what that thing is!

[MotorBikeLes]

Hilger and Watts made all sorts of scientific optical instrumentation, but no idea what that is. I think we had an H&W spectrometer, but not on my patch so can't be certain.
Les.

[Peter88gate]

Well, what a surprise!

I did my apprenticeship with Hilger & Watts in Camden Town from 1961 and worked for them until they were taken over in 1968 after getting into financial difficulties.

I worked in the Spectroscopy division on electronic matters, so unfortunately have no idea of the function of the instrument shown.

As mentioned by others they made many different scientific instruments in the surveying, measurement, spectroscopy and related fields.

Peter

[Steve G4WCS]

some pics from different angles and more detail may help (ie what does the micrometer in the first picture operate ? slit, crosshairs ? ) are there any holes in the parts for peering through ? what do the lamps illuminate cross hairs, reticule, slit?

are there any lenses etc in them ?

Im thinking that the two items were designed to be bolted to a bench to test lenses, or more likely mirrors, but need more detail

initial thoughts were a focault tester

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foucault_knife-edge_test

[andrewn]

Here's a few more photos. Both units have a small hole for the light to shine through from the lamp. One has a larger hole than the other. The micrometer moves the hole left/right. The other unit can move the hole up/down with the thumbscrew. There's no sight to look through so I think this kit must have been part of a larger setup. It used to belong to someone who was an engineer with the water board but I don't know if he would have used it in his job.

[emeritus]

Perhaps it was used to accurately measure relative movement between what the two units were attached to?

[Mr Moose]

Hello,
It would appear to be an accessory for a stereoscope perhaps for measuring distances?
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...0-a48300d2ca6f
Yours, Richard

[ms660]

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...0-a48300d2ca6f

Post crossed....

EDIT: The three fixing holes on the units fit to where the two groups of three screws are on the frame in the link, there's one on Ebay assembled.

Lawrence.

[andrewn]

Yes that's definitely the same item. I see that one has four pearl lamps in the kit. Unfortunately mine only has one lamp and its separated from its base so not useable. I connected it to my bench power supply and it illuminated. Its quite a high wattage, drawing 0.5A at 3V. I have the wooden case but its in poor condition. Anyway thanks for identifying it, much appreciated!

[Andrew Mawson]

Ah - I bet RAF Medmenham was full of them in the 1940's !

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Medmenham