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Various Properties
Lot 62

A Royal Gun Factory Torpedo Gyroscope,
English, circa 1905,

15 September 2021, 14:00 BST
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £1,912.50 inc. premium

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A Royal Gun Factory Torpedo Gyroscope, English, circa 1905,

Serial no. 2201, the gyroscope composed of brass and steel components within a hinged mahogany case, the brass operative lock stamped 1904, the top and frontal sides stencilled S.D., the case stamped to one side RGF & TORPEDO FACTORY, E.J. SAYCE, 1905,
the case 7in x 9 1/2in x 8 1/4in (18cm x 24cm x 20.5cm)

Footnotes

Initially controlled by a pendulum and hydrostatic device, this was replaced by a sophisticated gyroscopic control gear like the present example. The gyro was based on a design patented by Ludwig Obry in 1896. The gyroscope was fitted with a clockwork coil spring, pre-tensioned to give a starting spin to the gyroscope of up to 2,400rpm when the torpedo was fired. The carrying case had the dual function as a portable test-bed and winding station prior to installation.

The Royal Gun Factory in Woolwich, London was responsible for the production of torpedoes within the Royal Arsenal from 1893 until 1910. From 1910 the Royal Navy Torpedo Factory was founded as a dedicated enterprise for producing torpedos.

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