What is this, Any ideas?

[mikenbarb]

Any ideas what this is? I got it with a bunch of reloading and gun stuff. One thing I know is its from the 40's or 50's. The flat piece slides into the other part with numbers.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/011.jpg

[Bret4207]

Obviously a sliding scale of some sort. Used on what, that's the question. The case implies it's meant to be carried or broken down at least.

[mikenbarb]

The silver ring is sleeved into it with an allen screw thru the end of tool to hold it in place of what depth you need it. It looks like its some sort of tool for squaring something or installing a scope or sights possibly but im clueless on this one. Its a high precision tool and its machined with a real tight tolerance but I just cant figure out what it is but im pretty sure it has something to do with guns or reloading.

[mikenbarb]

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/001-1.jpg

[Woodtroll]

If the hole and chamfer sizes are right, could it be a tool for measuring rim thickness on 22 rimfire cartridges? I know a lot of match shooters sort them this way.

Hope this helps- if that's not waht it is, I'm stumped too!

[mikenbarb]

CRAP! I will be danged. Thats what it is and a .22RF slips into the sleeve and the slide has a real fine taper and you lock the case into it and slide it in to see what number its on for the thickness. Pretty cool. I found a name on it and it says Merit pat.pend. Any idea what its called or what its worth? It looks like its a real high precision tool with the fit and tapers to it.

[Morgan Astorbilt]

It's a rim thickness gauge, used by .22 target shooters. Most of them now use a dial indicator. I'll hunt mine up and take a picture to post.

Here it is, home built, using a dial indicator and a block of aluminum. I sort out the ammo, putting aside for practice, any that fall outside of the markers,(Which should be set .002" apart). Faster, and much more accurate than the one using a graduated slide.
Morgan
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa159/pgfaini/rimind1.jpg

[mikenbarb]

I found the reciept for it because the guy kept everything. He bought it on 10-17-1947. Hows that for cool old book stuff.LOL.
Are these worth anything or just old junk? The pics dont do it justice because its like new or still may be because it dont looked used.

[HeavyMetal]

If you got a good 22 it's amazing how will they'll shoot after you sort some shells with one of these things!

I bought one a bunch of years ago and never regretted it!

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I think you should hang onto that fine tool and if you don't have a good twenty two, get one and try it out. Sounds like it would reward you for your work.

Regards,

Dave

[mikenbarb]

I own a couple real accurate 22's and guess I will start sorting ammo tonight to see if it makes a difference with accuracy. Thanks.