Unidentified Object

Billy Butlin · Post by **Billy Butlin** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 2:37 pm

Image as per thread in Help me identify this item...

Thanks

Wholley · Post by **Wholley** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 3:05 pm

Looks like an artillery range finder,probably WW1 or earlier.

Billy Butlin · Post by **Billy Butlin** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 3:12 pm

any idea what N.P.F may stand for? or what the number may be?

(inside of case lid)

Wholley · Post by **Wholley** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 5:28 pm

No idea.
You could check out this site.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid ... eum+london
As it is obviously British the above may be the best place to research.

London Boy · Post by **London Boy** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 8:12 pm

NPF=National Projectile Factory.
The Ministry of Munitions of course supervised all the factories that were producing munitions.

Here's a link to a doc that lists them all http://74.125.77.132/search?q=cache:nq0 ... clnk&gl=se

Scroll down the type column, which IS NOT in alphabetical order and you'll see that the NPF had several contractors around the country. Another column tells you what each factory was producing or otherwise doing.

London Boy · Post by **London Boy** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 8:23 pm

As for what the object is.Well it clearly has two spirit levels on the top (left-right and fore-aft) and three theodolyte type feet, and an eyepiece at one end, and a compass under the monocular, which is on a swivel mount. So it's clearly a range-finder or land assessment device of some short. Especially when you look at that documnet I linked and see that NPF were producing shells and guns of various sizes. It has a Naval feel to it as well with the stability feet and the compass, so possibly rangefinding for naval guns.

London Boy · Post by **London Boy** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 8:26 pm

Just noticed 2 other things 1. the eye piece is extendable so that indicates focusing, so it is a telescope, and there is a lens cap on the other end. And 2. The NPF is inside a shell outline. So it is clearly an artillery instrument.

Tab · Post by **Tab** » Sun 01 Nov, 2009 8:49 am

It also could be some form of gun sight

timex · Post by **timex** » Sun 01 Nov, 2009 10:33 pm

Possibly something to do with Gun laying for a Battery?

London Boy · Post by **London Boy** » Mon 02 Nov, 2009 6:38 am

Well that's what myself and Wholley meant by rangefinder.

Wholley · Post by **Wholley** » Mon 02 Nov, 2009 4:35 pm

Yes,we did

London Boy · Post by **London Boy** » Mon 02 Nov, 2009 8:03 pm

Well, you know, great minds think alike...so I thought I could speak for you too :D Especially minds that have been both soldier & cop. :D

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Unidentified Object

Unidentified Object