Need help in Identifying these?

I found these in the leather case. Not sure where to even start . I was hoping someone could identify what it is ?Thanks for any help?

 

I think they are aperture plates. I'll see if I can find more info/proper terminology

 

They are called "Waterhouse Stops"

There is a description of them here

http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/lens_diaphragm.html

 

edited - too little, too late

 

They could be exchangable aperture plates for a field or studio camera, one of those late 19th C big wood and brass boxes on a tripod. A predecessor of the iris built into the lens.
They might also be for a magic lantern. They could control the brightness of the image depending on how close the screen was. Parlour version or village hall version.

Too slow...............

 

The early bird gets the picture of the worm

 

"Waterhouse Stops" . This makes sense now. My great Uncles were prof. Photographers in mid the 1800's. This must have been saved from then.
Thanks again for the help.

 

Glad I could help

 

How cool! Is there more left by them?

 

They look like spaghetti measures to me.

 

would have never guessed that learned something new today