Military Relic or Farm Relic ??

Hello, It is one piece cast Iron, except for the wingnut screw which is rusted in. Which leds me to believe it was still mounted to a piece of wood when it was droped which rotted away. The front looks to have had a Patent mark or other writing on it but I canot make out any words or letters for sure. Mostly ornamental perhaps showing the position or selection of something? If I can tie it to the military or a wagon part It will be  a signifigant relic find for me! The hunt site is a pre civil war/ Indian war camp site in Illinois where Illinois Militia wagons were known to be abandoned and ransacked by indians in the early 1800s.  I found it while m-ding out there over thanksgiving while visiting my wifes relatives! Thanks MaineRelic.

Pics too big for me to even guess. Monty

Interesting... looks like a dial that that when pointed allowed the user to see the selected whatever.

maybe for a compass

hmmmm.....I'm positive its not a Colonial or pre Civil War Anti-Aircraft Site.

[ ERROR: SPECIFIED ATTACHMENT MISSING ]

             Thanks fo the help with the pics Montana cause I really would like an ID and be ble too date it!!

ANY HELP AT ALL WOULD BE APPRECATED !!!!!!!!

Hello, It is one piece cast Iron, except for the wingnut screw which is rusted in. Which leds me to believe it was still mounted to a piece of wood when it was droped which rotted away. The front looks to have had a Patent mark or other writing on it but I canot make out any words or letters for sure. Mostly ornamental perhaps showing the position or selection of something? If I can tie it to the military or a wagon part It will be  a signifigant relic find for me! The hunt site is a pre civil war/ Indian war camp site in Illinois where Illinois Militia wagons were known to be abandoned during a retreat in the blackhawk war. I found it while m-ding out there over thanksgiving while visiting my wifes relatives! Thanks MaineRelic.

Been looking... no clue.

my guess would be a wood working tool. Cutter or chisel would go into rectangle grove,then then material (most likley Wood) would be centered with the thumb screw on top,then start turning by Hnad to turn out a perfect circle.

Definatly a circle cutter of some type.modern day tools dont resemble a heavy hand turned device like that for we Have power tools to do the work instead of muscle power.
circa late 1800 my guess

not a very good example But here goes anyways

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3887347590_c019d6eddd.jpg

But maybe that help Stir up the Cobwebs & Give You a real ID

can't tell from the pics but is that a patent on the cross bars?

Good eye allan   It does look like text.

It may be from a sundial.

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20%26um%3D1