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Hans Christoph Schissler junior, Compasso militare
Hans Christoph Schissler junior, Gunner’s compasses

1595
Brass; length 18 cm
Florence, Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, inv. 2517

This instrument was used for military purposes, such as determining the calibers of stone and lead projectiles, land surveying, and time reckoning. It was acquired in Germany by Prince Mattias de’ Medici in the first half of the 17th century.