RARE ANTIQUE UNIVERSAL EQUINOCTIAL DIAL. CIRCA 1800 - $2,695 - (Upper Makefield Twp, PA)
Offered for sale is an antique EQUINOCTIAL RING DIAL in outstanding original condition, measuring 4 3/8" in diameter. The ring dial is divided into sectors. South 90 ring divided 90 degrees to North 90 degrees, and divided into months, and further calibrated into 24 hours, with an adjustable Calendar calibrated into 12 months. This outstanding brass universal ring dial , the meridian ring divided 90 - 0 - 70. The pivoted equinoctial ring with I - XII hours scale (X2), the bridge with sliding pin hole sight against calendric, zodiac and declining scales. Hinged meridian ring with latitude scale, equinoctial ring with Roman numerals and hatch index, bridge bar with peep hole sight and calendar. The meridian ring with N and S flanking the zero line on the latitude scale and calibrated 0 - 90, the equinoctial ring engraved with Roman numeral hours, the central bridging bar with sliding peep hole, and engraved with the months, all suspended by a brass ring. This type of portable dial is called universal because it is adjustable for use in any latitude. Pivoted across the center of the outer ring is a thin metal "bridge". The bridge is slotted and bears a cursor pierced with a tiny hole. The cursor is moved to that point on the bridge which corresponds to the day of the observation, The Sun shining through the tiny hole casts a beam of light on the inner surface of the time ring, which is calibrated to show the hours of the day. To use the dial, adjust the suspension ring to the correct latitude, using the upper scale if one is at the northern hemisphere and the lower scale if one is at the southern hemisphere. Next, slide the cursor on the bridge to the correct date. Then, put the hour ring 90 degrees down until it touches the stoppers. Then hold the sundial on the ring and turn it slowly until a sun ray hits the notch on the hour ring. Now you can accurately tell the local time If applied correctly, the outer ring will now be aligned in the north - south direction an…
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From ebay.com - 1 month ago