What are the name and function of this apparatus

[Nicolas92i]

what is the name and function of this apparatus

 

[fresh_42]

what is the name and function of this apparatus

Looks a bit like a simple gyrocompass.

 

[OmCheeto]

what is the name and function of this apparatus

Oh! I almost made one of those one day.

It apparently has many names: Dip Circle, Dip Needle, Inclination Compass..., there may be more.

http://physics.kenyon.edu/EarlyApparatus/Electricity/Dip_Needle/Dip_Needle.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dip_circle; [Broken] "Dip circles (also dip needles) are used to measure the angle between the horizon and the Earth's magnetic field (the dip angle)."

 

[Nicolas92i]

Oh! I almost made one of those one day.

It apparently has many names: Dip Circle, Dip Needle, Inclination Compass..., there may be more.

http://physics.kenyon.edu/EarlyApparatus/Electricity/Dip_Needle/Dip_Needle.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dip_circle; [Broken] "Dip circles (also dip needles) are used to measure the angle between the horizon and the Earth's magnetic field (the dip angle)."

Thanxx