Need help with ID on a neat find

[Old California]

Recovered a few finds recently, No coins but one particluar piece has me baffled haven't a clue what it is. I'm hoping some type of pocket sundial well the remains of one at least?

Has a locket type setup, with some type of Roman's head on the lid. Can't make out the letting, but it's something one would find on a Roman coin. Dug it from our oldest settlement in Southern Central California, I'm thinking maybe the remains of a vintage pocket sundial?

Appreciate help on this, would be a nice piece to add to out local museum. Other artifacts from this particular site are in our local country museum, coins and relics donated from both a local friend and I with permission from the land owner.

Thanks for the help,
Paul

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

If you haven't already, post this in the Whatzit forum. There's some amazing people there ready and willing to help!

 

[Rick N. MI]

Nice finds Paul. That's the stuff I like to dig. Which detector were you using to get the iron pieces.

Rick

 

[Woodstock]

Looks kinda like a Sun Dial ( missing pieces ) met to be portable ... Woodstock

 

[Old California]

Thanks Phillip,

I'll do that, appreciate the help!

Paul

 

[Old California]

Thanks Rick,

I was using both and XLT and MX Sport, the MX Sport found the deeper iron pieces. Deep iron is hard to avoid, but sometimes even iron is treat to dig.

Thanks Rick!
Paul

 

[Old California]

Thanks Woodstock,

I'm thinking the same, quite possible a pocket Sundial.

The settlement was short lived, started 1850 and quickly ended within 3 years, then restarted a year later and around early 1862 was a ghost town. Now, it's farm land.

The earliest finds from here are a few coins one dating back to 1793, several buttons between 1820 to 1850. Was off the main Indian trail, so some of the earlier finds may be from pioneers traveling through before the settlement as it was also a resting area.

Thanks Woodstock, I'll try and post it on the what's it forum, but I think you're right it may be the remains of a pocket sundial. That would be great if it is, neat find for sure!

Thanks!
Paul

 

[Ohiodirtfisher]

I have to say it looks like an early Spanish sun dial/ sextant used for cartography, the maps that you see depicting major bodies such as mountain region's and bodies of water. Try sending a few pics to the museum in Madrid Spain. I am sure that you can get a definitive answer to your question. Good luck and great find!. The Ohio dirt Fisher.