Antique sundial?

[Adk.IBO]

My mother in laws deceased 2nd husband had this. Needs restoration, where? Who? Any ideas? I think it’s pretty cool…

[jumpmaster]

My mother in laws deceased 2nd husband had this. Needs restoration, where? Who? Any ideas? I think it’s pretty cool…

I could be wrong, but to me it looks like a ship's navigation device.

[JJ]

My mother in laws deceased 2nd husband had this. Needs restoration, where? Who? Any ideas? I think it’s pretty cool…

Now THAT restoration project will require some significant research (???)...but an interesting project to take on for sure!

[RinkRat II]

          I would inquire at a clock shop if there is one in your area. 

            Paul B 

     

[Adk.IBO]

The compass needle falls off and the “glass” looks to be a replacement made from clear plastic that is cracked. The ‘glass’ is held in place by a round spring clip. A quick search finds cheap knock offs, maybe this thing is not worth much… I’d like to know how it works.

[ozarquebus]

Antikythera mechanism

[Fontain25]

It could be Roman. Roman numerals on face.

[Tim Henry]

I repair Clocks and watches get me some better photos btw to obtain longitude you must have a chronometer set to gmt then you can use hour angle to find longitude ,latitude is easier to obtain it's what everyone knew before John Harrison figured out timekeepers were the answer to longitude but sun dials on a vessel is hardly practical. However I may be able to help you

[pehayes]

If you have a 3D printer, looks like you could easily fabricate your own new one.

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/science/other/astrolabe-c0ae2fb2-0a78-4c23-a8c3-fd519daf6ebf



You can even buy a new one off of Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/THORINSTRUMENTS-device-Sundial-Compass-Solid/dp/B01NCE4JDD/ref=sr_1_41?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-eeMBhCpARIsAAZfxZBvJGkNcDqYlqLuuozTG15j1udUu4CX6C93k7iPUfMAX7phQx1E-wQaArlKEALw_wcB&hvadid=320342540079&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9032008&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=2138655667523802770&hvtargid=kwd-545135578502&hydadcr=24634_10399775&keywords=astrolabe+functional&qid=1637560128&qsid=146-7488427-6523428&sr=8-41&sres=B07J5XG26X%2CB07LG28L8V%2CB00U613PT6%2CB0177Y0M0Y%2CB08KGDGHCN%2CB07MT9SRB7%2CB01BH6N37C%2CB072B7Y5MG%2CB07HLGG1M3%2CB07WWZ5LRV%2CB07K876JF3%2CB011EUJLEU%2CB07MW2RSTG%2CB01I5Q2TCC%2CB07VMS8Y6B%2CB07FRM7LRY%2CB01NAWBRV7%2CB013IOQWF6%2CB01DY4QSCW%2CB01LFMV2HG

I started searching for ASTROLABE.  But, most of them are held aloft and dangle downward for sighting elevation angles of celestial objects.

I modified my search to SUNDIAL COMPASS and therein found many more images and much better definitions of function.

Even a YouTube to show you how it works:
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=sundial+compass#kpvalbx=_bTGbYdTBHtDY-gSv6aLwDw6

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Adk.IBO]

Thanks for all the replies, I have decided to leave it at my mother in law’s until such a time as her deceased husband’s kids get first dibs…

[mtiberio]

how about the pocket sundial. No need to know north, just latitude.
https://www.pocket-sundial.com/