I hope this helps, at hardsf.org they have a huge list of book recommendation.
For my own use I have converted this list to Excel spreadsheet format so you can sort them in order of awards won, Amazon rating etc. Link to this XLS file.
Going to attempt to post some more pictures - latest suggestion is that it could be safety back up for landing gear on an early Bristol Blenheim, or Beaufighter plane. However, it may be nothing to do with planes - hard to tell! http://www.humyo.com/CTqFK/Old%20Brass%20Thing/?a=ivUgfaa1QEo