Help identifying?

[forklift0_00]

I have also tried other forum areas but no real response yet and figure I'd try here

I did a google lens search of this item and still unsure what this could be?

Possible pocket watch salesman sample of how it works inside..

Trench art?

A balance of sort.. the middle prong will move to the center if it is standing upright?

It is 2" x 2" and looks like a pocket watch.. The front glass plate screws off and there is no markings..

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@forklift0_00 

It almost looks Maritime to me, some kind of instrument used on a boat maybe. It's missing pieces as evidenced by your 1st picture of the base.

     I see you posted on collectables and watches forum and no replies yet.

Is there any markings at all like Denmark? Is it brass? Heavy?

     Since this is a major holiday w/e response time is slow. I'll tag poster Argon on the collectable board along with @1tuna ( who is the watch fella).

     Best to you, Silver

[ckimodog]

@silverstatetreasureboxes 

That's what I got...a Maritime instrument of some type.  Somewhat vintage.  

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@ckimodog 

I tagged Argon for the OP, it does look like a precision instrument that would be attached to a boat/ship and judging from 2nd picture, looks like top can have swaying ability. 3rd picture has a gear showing on bottom also.

[a_c_green]

I'm a little confused by the photos: You're showing the front and back, apparently, because I can see a split retainer pin in the center shaft in one photo but not the other, but I also see some kind of circular (?) paper backing behind it in both views. Are there two mechanisms in this with an opaque paper divider in the center?

Also, that a bevel gear or just a knurled knob in the center of the baseplate? Can you turn it, and what happens if you do?

My totally unscientific guess here is that it's something for measuring the list of a boat, leaning one way or the other and measured in degrees from side to side.

[tealt]

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'd expect to see gimbals somewhere on a maritime piece.

Maybe it's the inside of a pocket watch with most of the insides missing to make a piece of "art"?

The close up seems to show the remains of a balance wheel, adjustment scale, and some engine turning design, all of which could be inside a pocket watch.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@a_c_green 

Makes sense to me!

[forklift0_00]

Thank you for the replies... It is brass, I was able to take the glass front off... All signs show a pocket watch as well as some of the pieces inside... There is a paper back on the back and I did take it out and to my surprise, it is a pocket watch case.. It is marked Star Wic Co. Nickel Double headed Eagle.. The case number is dated 1911 give or take..

I am leaning now toward WW 2 Trench art... The pieces are pocket watch mechanics.. Who knows though.. Hopefully the gentleman that was tagged will know more..

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@forklift0_00 this is good news! Can you snap a good picture of the markings? 

[forklift0_00]

Best I can get.. Maybe in the morning when I can get some outside sunlight..

[a_c_green]

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@forklift0_00 wrote:

Thank you for the replies... It is brass, I was able to take the glass front off... All signs show a pocket watch as well as some of the pieces inside... There is a paper back on the back and I did take it out and to my surprise, it is a pocket watch case.. It is marked Star Wic Co. Nickel Double headed Eagle.. The case number is dated 1911 give or take.

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Okay, that notation as seen in the photo is STAR WC CO (the letterspacing is a little vague), and that's the Star Watch Case Company. Wikipedia has more details on them here, including several trademark illustrations, one of which closely resembles yours: 

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

The identifies the maker of the case, though not necessarily the contents inside. That movement (whatever it is) could have been made by a number of other manufacturers for which Star was a case supplier, according to the Wikipedia details.

To be honest, I'm not recognizing any of those inner components to be normal parts of a watch movement (I do see an adjustment scale), but it could be some other mechanism of similar size needing a case like that.  I do see what look like hand-scribed numbers to the left of the serial number in the photo, suggesting that a watch repairman worked on it. I'm not a watch expert, though.

[1tuna]

the balance wheel is a split wheel for temperature. the hairspring is missing.

the plate its mounted on is the pillar plate or main bridge from the movement

the two things that look like tire irons appear to have been added to it and the the center adjusting screw on the bacen rim has ben extended

ths looks like a one of a kind home made piece to show the amount of lean or yaw or whatever its called as the other poster has mentioned

star watch case co was a huge maker for watch cases

if I had to guess I woud say this is an 18s case maybe 54mm

@forklift0_00 

[lacemaker3]

@forklift0_00 ,

Here is some interesting information about the Star W.C. Co. from the wikipedia link that @a_c_green provided:

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

Government procurement

The company produced thousands of watches during World War I that could easily be seen without removing them from pockets.[14] Pocket watch cases were Star's major product until the United States entered the World War II.[8] Then the factory was converted to making brass compass cases, small weapons components, and submarine parts. During the war, the company's reputation for making quality stainless steel military watch cases and cases for military compasses grew.[2] Additionally, the company manufactured elements of military navigational aids.[15] It also made components for the top secret Norden bombsight, used for accurate airborne bombing.[1]

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[ckimodog]

@lacemaker3 

Excellent post.  Very interesting and informative facts concerning the item.  

[forklift0_00]

Very interesting to say the least... I wonder if this could be "Trench Art" or maybe someone built this back then just for fun... The history does intrigue me..

Was think about selling it but have no idea what to list it as.. lol

You guys are amazing with the helpful info... Thank You