23. Gunner's Level and Gauge

Signed: F. F. F. 1629.

  Fig. 38          Fig. 39

This instrument has the smallest level and plummet of all those in the exhibition: the radius of the arc is only 35 mm. The plummet's support is nevertheless finely formed and engraved in silvered brass. The arc scale covers about 73° and is divided in equal parts 15-0-15.

The accompanying stiletto gauge is more appropriate to a goldsmith than a gunner. It carries half ounce ('Lot') scales for spheres of gold, silver, lead and tin rather than the familiar iron, lead and stone. In addition, it is calibrated only up to one pound for each of the metals, whereas gunner's gauges typically indicate the weight of much heavier shot. The gauge is attached to the back of the level by two screws. These are individually identified with their sockets by single and double dots respectively. By providing such 'instructions' for securing the gauge, the maker evidently envisioned a user detaching and reattaching it at will, reinforcing the implication that the instrument's two components were used separately.

The maker should probably be identified as Franz Viebig, who signed an elaborately decorated gunner's level as 'Franciscus Fiebig me faciebat Arnstadiae Anno 1633' (Dreier, p. 108; Zinner, p. 570).

Height: 161 mm

Inventory no. 37,342


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