I've had this lying here in a garage cabinet and always wondered what it does. The top is detached via the clock key hole and inside were little subs/posts?. The bottom also detaches and had a makers name and patent date in 1892..The rounded bottom would make it easy to mave it around and work on it but it is very heavy as it's solid steel. The top piece is a vice.

Ray

Rounded bottom

Top parts separated

Posts/stubs in top storage area

Bottom sections

Makers/ patent marks

Well, answered my own question..Appears it's a ball vise used for engraving. I purchased in a watchmakers lot years ago so it must have been used in watch repairs somehow. Interesting piece though.

Ray

A universal movement holder that won't slide across the bench..............

Bob

It is an engravers block.

Tom

Patent data

Here is a drawing from his earlier patent

Ray nice item if you ever decide to sell this let me know..
Samie

Tom: Congratulations on digging up yet another piece of documentation on an unusual item. I’m not sure how you do it so quickly, but thanks!

Thanks Ernie, but I need to develop my reading comprehension, after I posted this I realized Ray had already identified it, I just skim things too fast!

Tom

Thanks for the diagrams and info Tom, this thing weighs a ton. It would cost a bundle just to ship it I think. I'll let you know if it ever needs a new home Samie.

Ray