What's this odd antique?

What's this odd antique?

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Snubs

Original Poster:

1,166 posts

138 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
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Now the eagle eyed may realise that this isn't a watch, it's a clock. But what i'd like to know is what is it for? It clearly has a purpose, but i've yet to find out what it is. Here are some pictures:

The front, in its case:



Front out of its case:



Rear out of case:



The inside:



It's the inside that i find particularly interesting as there is a roll of ticker tape at the bottom. There is no way for the ticker tape to come out of the case, other than by unlocking the back with a key. The case is on a shoulder strap. Size wise, i'd say it's about 30cm in diameter and maybe 15cm deep. Weight wise, it's very heavy!

I've heard a few theories as to what it might be, but if anyone could provide something definitive, or where i might go to find out, it would be much appreciated. It was found in the home of a relative who passed away recently, so that's a bit of a dead end (possibly not the best turn of phrase).

Thanks

Gotama

47 posts

219 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
I have seen security guard clock-in devices similar but never portable.
A guard doing his rounds would come to a wall-mounted device... insert his key and turn it which make a record (ticker tape) of his visit before moving on to the next area.

Could this be similar?

Snubs

Original Poster:

1,166 posts

138 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
Thanks, i think you're probably right. A bit of googling around that brought up quite a few pictures of very similar items.

mikeveal

4,557 posts

249 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
Agree with Gotma. It's for time stamping events.
Looks like the Ticker tape winds from one reel to the next. You've not told us, but if we're right, then there should be some way of punching or marking the ticker at the current time.