3.5" long aluminum w/brass gondola and propellers, two of which (one w/crank) operate to retract enclosed working cloth tape measure (w/inches marked one side, centimeters on the other). Made in Germany, c. 1908. Closely designed after LZ-4, an experimental German airship constructed under the direction of Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin. First flown on June 20, 1908, it made a series of successful flights including a 12-hour flight over Switzerland. It was destroyed later that same year when it caught fire after landing to carry out engine repairs during a projected 24-hour endurance trial. Main body shows little to no wear while brass areas have some aging and propellers have slight bend to axle. VF overall. Wonderful design. Another example of this tape measure recently sold online for $2,500.