Mystery Item, perpetual calendar?

I bought this a few years ago because it looked very old but other than that I haven't been able to workout exactly what it's for, my guess is that it was a perpetual calendar that's missing the hands. The center turns on the thread allowing to change the date to correspond with the month. I would be very grateful if members could give me their opinion as to date? whats it for? anything really, I'm at a loss

 

it looks like it is what you say it is....but i can't tell if it's old...or made to look old !

 

I think the wood is a lot newer than the brass.

 

I'm sure it's pre-1800 but could be as old 1600, the wood has a patina that predates everything I own, I'm sure two of the screws are newer but the other two are handmade so predating the 1830's

 

Love... Looks Olde to me...

 

I'm sure its the oldest thing I own...well all apart from the wife that is lol

 

It could be early 20th C shed work or trench art made from shell fuze or primer components. I am sure it is not older than1900, certainly not pre 1800 just from the font style and numerals.

 

I have no doubt it's crudely made, probably provincial blacksmith ect but as to it's age being 20th or even 19th c that wouldn't explain how it has the patina to the wood or how the nails bleached the wood in such a short time. I do have a lot of experience with old wood and this shows signs of great age.

 

Whatevers....

 

Seeing as it's sand cast I very much doubt trench art and handmade screws predates 1837 but hey ho....

 

But not that Olde

The screw, maybe

I don't think it can be dated by a screw that may have been a "volunteer," as my dad called all random elements.

 

Yeah both handmade screws could have been form an earlier date but very unlikely, even if that were the case it still doesn't explain how it managed to get the patina or how the nails bleached the wood (something that takes many centuries) I suppose it doesn't really matter, just wondered if anybody knew something conclusive.

 

Wish I did, 808

You never said where you got it (I can't backstalk every single op )

I'm pretty sure there's a site you can check out - i found one for #gila's "old man" as she calls him... I know you probably aren't looking to restore, but they might help. Good luck

Pawpaw's

 

Thank you, I'll check it out, I got it from ebay listed in metal-ware, they didn't know what it was either.

 

The country?

 

The UK (England)

 

Or clockwork automaton collectors.

 

I'm not sure I'll find another, it looks blacksmith made, instead of engraving all the type has been done with small flat ended tool and hammered in. It's a mystery.

 

Probably not, but you might get some other ideas about it... Have fun!