String-gnomon dial for latitudes 48°-54° North. The dial-plate is octagonal in shape. On the obverse side, a horizontal sun and moon dial surround the compass. Within this is a lunar-age scale and a rotatable brass ring. On the reverse, the gnomon support brace is shaped and intricately decorated. The base of the compass is engraved with a table of latitudes for places in Europe. For some reason, the list includes Budapest (47°), which falls outside the range of this dial. The compass is silvered and the four points are named in Latin. An arrow is drawn on the compass bowl to indicate the magnetic variation at 7° West of North. There is a brass strut across the compass glass for the attachment of the gnomon. The gnomon support is pierced at its lower end for a brass plumb line and bob. Its upper section is marked with a scale of latitudes. The string gnomon is missing. Three legs (one missing) support the dial-plate. The dial has an octagonal brown fishskin case and is signed 'Nicolaus Rugendas Augsp 48'.

Both this dial and AST0512 have two hour scales, one fixed and one rotatable. It appears that the fixed scale is provided so that the solar time can always be read without readjustment of the volvelle (here a ring rather than a disc) being necessary. A very similar piece is in the British Museum (registration no. 1888,21-1.311), although it lacks the red enamel on the rotatable hour scale. There is also one in the Huelsmann collection in Bielefeld and one in the Whipple Museum (accession no. Wh: 1190).

For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.