Can't find Marvin's response, except in the archives, but it sounds
reasonable, so I'll respond to John's response to Marvin's theory.

For those who don't know, here is a section on how its done, but nothing
noting  storage for the magnets

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Elements_of_Navigation_Chart_Lead_Log_De/M0
VLAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=marine+compass+compensation++rod+storage&pg=RA2-PA21&
printsec=frontcover

Kirk in Half Moon Bay

On Mon, Feb 26, 2024 at 10:41 AM John Ruth  wrote:

>
> > On Feb 26, 2024, at 12:31 PM, Marvin Paisner  wrote:
> >
> > Taking a long shot here, but it may be for holding the metal
> compensating rods used to adjust a ship's magnetic compass that has been
> thrown off by the vessels metal construction.
> >
> I really like Marvin Paisner's guess!
>
> If all the hardware is brass or bronze, that would support his hypothesis.
>
> As I understand it, there are two sets of small holes, with the sets being
> at right angles to each other.  That also supports Marvin's hypothesis.
>
>
>


-- 
Kirk Eppler in Half Moon Bay, CA