The Lemon Fool

I think the clinometer is used by placing the flat base on an inclined surface, and the arm adjusted until the bubble indicates it is level, the angle in degrees and minutes gives an accurate inclination (in the range 0 to 45 degrees) of the surface on which the instrument is resting. The surface would need to be very flat for the degree of accuracy to be of use, so I think that points to a metal surface, rather than say stone or wood. The instrument is fairly robust, looks like is was made for a workshop or similar environment.

The problem now is to think of an application that would need to sort of accuracy provided in a working environment. I think any sort of construction trade could be ruled out, the degree of accuracy provided would not be necessary. The maximum angle which can be measured is 45 degrees, it would have been possible to make the instrument capable of measuring larger angles, but this has not been done.

Having said all that I am still at a loss, still trying to think of a possible use!

jfgw wrote:My one is marked thus:

CLINOMETER, FIELD MARK IV No 811
TAYLOR, TAYOR & HOBSON LTD [Arrow symbol] 1915

That "Arrow symbol" sounds like the old 'War Department' etc. symbol.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_arrow
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Depar ... ed_Kingdom)

XFool wrote:That "Arrow symbol" sounds like the old 'War Department' etc. symbol.

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

That's the one.

The clinometer would have been used for gun laying, would be my guess. The development of superior artillery was probably the major contributor to victory in WW1.

RC

Gunnery, that explains why the maximum angle is 45 degrees. I did consider that application, but reasoned that guns would have had angular indication built in. Seems I was wrong!

malkymoo wrote:Gunnery, that explains why the maximum angle is 45 degrees.

Not if the gun was a howitzer! The > 45 degree calibrations will be on the other side of the device, as per the link I gave.

"Clinometer Field Mark VI No. A.221"
Noblet and Forrest 1941"
"Direction of Target" with arrow. "Use this Base for 0° - 45°"
"45° - 90° Target" with arrow
Circle segment graduated with 0 - 44 degrees on side, 45 - 89 degrees other side.
Arm graduated 0 - 60 minutes both sides

Here is the clinometer standing on its feet for angles greater than 45 degrees. You will also see the text that I photoshopped out of the original photograph.


Julian F. G. W.

Seven out of ten so far:

1. Flash bulb.
2. Vidicon tube.
3.
4.
5. Tile spacers for hexagonal tiles.
6.
7. Clinometer for gun laying.
8. Bush wrench.
9. Radiator bleed valve.
10. As the yellow label (on the other side) says, it's a "CRT DISCHARGE TOOL".

The remaining three have not had one guess between them!

Obviously, it is a disadvantage not being able to pick the objects up to examine them so I will pretend that I do not know what the remaining three are and give a brief description.

3. (The thing with wheels/rollers): The rollers spin freely. The spindle in the middle is telescopic and there is a spring which pushes the two ends apart. There is another detail which may be seen from the photograph.

4. (The two brass objects): The part with the smaller thread may be clicked in and out like the button on a ball-point pen.

6. (Two metal clips): One half of each clip has two points, presumably to grab whatever they are designed to hold. The other half of each clip has two recesses so, potentially, these clips could damage whatever they are gripping depending upon what it is made of. The smaller clip is weighted.

Start guessing and I might drop in a few more clues.


Julian F. G. W.

jfgw wrote:3. (The thing with wheels/rollers): The rollers spin freely. The spindle in the middle is telescopic and there is a spring which pushes the two ends apart. There is another detail which may be seen from the photograph.

4. (The two brass objects): The part with the smaller thread may be clicked in and out like the button on a ball-point pen.

6. (Two metal clips): One half of each clip has two points, presumably to grab whatever they are designed to hold. The other half of each clip has two recesses so, potentially, these clips could damage whatever they are gripping depending upon what it is made of. The smaller clip is weighted.

4. (Air? Steam?) Pressure release valves?

6. Clips from either end of an old fashioned barber's leather razor sharpening strop?

I'm still working on 3.

XFool wrote:4. (Air? Steam?) Pressure release valves?

Nothing to do with air or steam, and not any kind of pressure release valve.

XFool wrote:6. Clips from either end of an old fashioned barber's leather razor sharpening strop?

Not for a razor strop.

Keep the guesses coming!


Julian F. G. W.

3...1-way water valves?

--kiloran (clutching at straws)

kiloran wrote:3...1-way water valves?

--kiloran (clutching at straws)

Water is relevant but they are not one-way valves.

6: something to do with photo processing?

AleisterCrowley wrote:6: something to do with photo processing?

I see your thinking...

jfgw wrote:

kiloran wrote:3...1-way water valves?

--kiloran (clutching at straws)

Water is relevant but they are not one-way valves.

Yeah. If it's made of brass, it must have something to do with water!

Anything to do with temperature?

AleisterCrowley wrote:6: something to do with photo processing?

Yes. What would they be used for?

XFool wrote:Anything to do with temperature?

Nothing to do with temperature.

jfgw wrote:

AleisterCrowley wrote:6: something to do with photo processing?

Yes. What would they be used for?

Hanging up either rolls of developed film, or prints, to dry. Likely rolls of negatives given the bottom weighted clip - though could be to prevent prints curling on drying.

Are the clip 'points' spaced to 35mm film size sprocket holes?

I can only imagine 3 being attached and detached to some other device or machine, via the centre hole. Hence used as a weighted roller to hold down something passing underneath, such as a roll of paper or something. Not another item from the photo processing industry?

XFool wrote:Hanging up either rolls of developed film, or prints, to dry. Likely rolls of negatives given the bottom weighted clip - though could be to prevent prints curling on drying.

They are for hanging rolls of developed film for drying. I think they may also have been used commercially for hanging film for processing in deep tanks but I have not found any reference except for one comment that the lead weights in one brand dissolved in C41 chemistry. I will check tonight whether the points line up with 35mm film sprocket holes. (I have some of a different brand with points that do.). Any damage would have been on the unexposed ends of the film.

Weights would not be needed for prints. Resin coated paper is stable and can be dried in racks. Fibre based paper curls when first wetted but soon goes floppy. (Fibre-based needs to go face-down in the developer to begin with otherwise the ends curl up out of the tray. You still need to hold the middle down with the tongs but that's easy. You can turn it face-up once it is soft.)

XFool wrote:I can only imagine 3 being attached and detached to some other device or machine, via the centre hole. Hence used as a weighted roller to hold down something passing underneath, such as a roll of paper or something. Not another item from the photo processing industry?

It is not a weight and has nothing to do with photography. The central spindle is not used as a roller. The hole is important.

Julian F. G. W.

jfgw wrote:I will check tonight whether the points line up with 35mm film sprocket holes.

The pointy bits are actually much too close to fit the sprocket holes.

The clips are marked "JOHNSONS OF HENDON", once a major supplier of darkroom and other photographic equipment and materials.


Julian F. G. W.