Gunner's Protractor

[fernando]

Guys, the person in question is William Deane (first half 18th century) ... and apparently not from the Deane & Dean gun traders family.
He was an expert in precision devices, like gunner's calipers and other.
The following id the description of a device of one of those:

A brass pair of William Deane gunner's callipers, English, first half 18th century, signed William Deane Fecit, the callipers with inset steel points slide over each other to allow both internal and external measurements to be taken, the upper face with geometrical shapes, scales of quantity measures, proof and service, and sector scales 0-100 the reverse with scales for 'cubic feet of metal &c in pounds and Decimals Adverdupois & Inches of ye same in Ounces and Decimals 12inch linear scale, size and weight of guns scale. The hinge with direct reading scales for the width of the opening in inches and degrees together with a 19th century 6-inch ivory yellowed sector., length closed 15.2cm 6in

[sabertasche]

Hi all, I think mine is in better condition, especially when I look at the hinge; which looks damaged in the auction item.

The age is very exciting to me, the mid 1700s - Napoleon and his wars, on land or sea, just imagine if this caliper could talk!

There is verdigris and something crusty on the calipers, what are your thoughts on gently cleaning this off?

Greg

[sabertasche]

Hi all, I found additional information on a different Forum, I've attached the relevant information and the link to the source.

"Although gunner's calipers of the continental pattern were known in England through Stone's edition of Bion's book on mathematical instruments (catalogue no. 32), English-made calipers had already settled on a distinctive design. Their two flat blades are hinged so that they slide freely over each other, permitting the steel tips to point either inwards to take the diameters of shot or outwards to measure the bore of a gun. In this example, scales at the hinge give diameters in inches and the corresponding weight of iron shot. The scales for inches of the bore and for the pounder rating of the gun are engraved along the length of one of the limbs. The remaining space on the limbs is occupied with tables of specific weights and quantities of powder for iron and brass guns, as well as a sectoral scale of lines and a series of diagrams representing proportional relationships between different planes and solids."

http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/geometry/cat10.htm

Greg

[JamesKelly]

Some collectors regard "cleaning" as a capital offense.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by JamesKelly

Some collectors regard "cleaning" as a capital offense.

... and this is a criterion worth the maximum respect !

[sabertasche]

I totally agree.

Greg