Late 18th Century Augsburg Universal Equinoctial Sundial.

Late 18th Century Augsburg Universal Equinoctial Sundial. This equinoctial dial is the portable pocket Augsburg type, made and initialed on the reverse by L.T.M (probably Ludovicus Theodatus Muller) in Germany. The base is an octagonal brass plate richly engraved with scroll pattern and containing a magnetic compass with an engraved silvered base plate. The equinoctial hour ring is hinged to the North side of the base plate and the latitude arc is hinged to the West side of the plate. The gnomon is a narrow pointed rod set at the center of a pivoted bar lying across the East-West diameter of the hour ring. The hours engraved in Roman numerals on the ring from 3 (III) am to 9 (IX) pm. The adjustable latitude arc is marked with 10 – 80 degrees latitude. The reverse of the base is engraved with latitudes for various European cites. Contained within a leather and card shaped original case. Diameter of dial 5.7 cm., 2¼ in. Reference: Hester Higton. Sundial. An Illustrated History of Portable Dials. Philip Wilson Pub. London. [2001].