Need help identifying a naval piece of equipment.

Specularius · May 11, 2018

My wife has asked me to help with this. This is what she kknows about it:

"A woman on Lamp Work Etc. is trying to find out what this is. Her dad is in a coma, she can’t ask and he’s not expected to make it. But it sat on his desk for years. It was mounted to the ceiling of a ship, he served on during Korea. It’s pointed up. The end closest to desk was the end against the ceiling."

Tboy · May 11, 2018

Kinda sorta looks like a vintage transit mount. The 4 notched knobs with adjustable feet.

Just a wild guess...

leadslinger972 · May 11, 2018

Looks like a nautical transit base, but it's upside down.

Looking at it closer, it's definitely a transit base. It's missing the top half with the sight level though.

Look up a Brass Dumpy Level or Theodolite

Specularius · May 11, 2018

Thanks.

Blue Diamond · May 11, 2018

If it was mounted on the ceiling it may be a primative sprinkler system. It appears to have 4 spray heads.

Specularius · May 12, 2018

I believe the information about it being mounted to the ceiling is in error. It is most likely as stated previously, a 4 screw transit base.

MikeR · May 12, 2018

Yep, it's an old transit base.

leadslinger972 · May 12, 2018

Blue Diamond said:
If it was mounted on the ceiling it may be a primative sprinkler system. It appears to have 4 spray heads.

LOL No.

Gator 45/70 · May 12, 2018

Specularius said:
My wife has asked me to help with this. This is what she kknows about it:

"A woman on Lamp Work Etc. is trying to find out what this is. Her dad is in a coma, she can’t ask and he’s not expected to make it. But it sat on his desk for years. It was mounted to the ceiling of a ship, he served on during Korea. It’s pointed up. The end closest to desk was the end against the ceiling."

You have anymore pictures?

pullstart · May 12, 2018

I would pull the cap off that has the chain and see if it reveals a bubble level. I suspect that it also has either a make or model number listed somewhere. The internet is your friend, start searching.

leadslinger972 · May 12, 2018

pullstart said:
I would pull the cap off that has the chain and see if it reveals a bubble level. I suspect that it also has either a make or model number listed somewhere. The internet is your friend, start searching.

The "cap" hangs from the bottom so the user can utilize a plumb bob to level the tripod (also missing). That's what the chain and hook are for.

machinedrummer · May 12, 2018

Looks like an old ceiling fan light fixture.

Gator 45/70 · May 12, 2018

CO/2 Fire suppression head with nozzels

Gator 45/70 · May 12, 2018

Or it could be Quad bay Shower head circa WW-2 Fletcher class!

Gator 45/70 · May 13, 2018

Or,It's the fire control gimble mechanism for a Close In Weapon System CIWS, probably the MK-92 anti inner-tube destruction device (ITDD), it's probably an antique by now.

The pencil is a fully automatic assault weapon and capable of stabbing 600 people per minute!

The Navy is famous for putting serial numbers on brass objects, Look for the number and MORE pictures please!

MrsSpecularius · May 13, 2018

Thank you all for the help.
She confirmed Leadslinger’s guess. It is a compass device.
She had some erroneous information I think, re: ceiling. It was an “I think Dad said” description. She only knows it’s important and sentimental. The details were just curiosity sake.

It it is NOT a suppression system. It is solid.
No other photos. Sorry.

leadslinger972 · May 14, 2018

MrsSpecularius said:
Thank you all for the help.
She confirmed Leadslinger’s guess. It is a compass device.
She had some erroneous information I think, re: ceiling. It was an *I think Dad said* description. She only knows it’s important and sentimental. The details were just curiosity sake.

It it is NOT a suppression system. It is solid.
No other photos. Sorry.

I've used them before. What threw me off was the cap and ball chain. I had never seen that before on older transits. It would be neat if she still had the actual level, because they are very interesting mechanical devices.

MrsSpecularius · May 14, 2018

leadslinger972 said:
I've used them before. What threw me off was the cap and ball chain. I had never seen that before on older transits. It would be neat if she still had the actual level, because they are very interesting mechanical devices.

It certainly led us all on a guessing game. I learned a lot.

BlueShamu · May 15, 2018

Coincidentally....I think I have the transit part of that conglomeration. I’ll snap a shot of it when I get home.

BlueShamu · May 17, 2018

Just remembered this thread when I was in my storeroom and saw this old thing to remind me.

I think this is something that was probably used with the OP's pictures.

Need help identifying a naval piece of equipment.

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