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COMPASSES Page 4 (SOLD)

This is called an 'Angle of Sight' instrument, and made by F Barker during the early 1940's. A precision instrument which incorporates a prismatic compass, consisting of a green card dial with Fleur de Lis North pointer, and a clinometer visible in the vertical plane. A precision instrument, it's in really good condition, the body retaining all of its original oxidised black finish, and is engraved F Barker & Son (1932) Ltd. No 733/44. Comes with its own fitted leather case which is also in very good condition.
In full working order, this particular instrument came from a military base on the island of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides, and was amongst a collection of 'items not required' when the Air Traffic Control Tower was demolished in 1994. Up to 2500 military personnel were stationed on the Island during WW2 , including the 418 squadron and a U-boat attack squadron.

A superb condition WW1 Verner's style prismatic marching compass with leather case, although unsigned and lacking any markings, the specification is similar to the military MKVII model with the floating jewelled pivot dial, and as can be seen from the photos is in excellent condition, retaining all of its original black finish on the lid.
The MKVII model was superceded by the MKVIII towards the end of WW1, so this particular compass will likely date to pre 1918, and probably made for the military but never issued.
In full working order, it has a nice strong hinge with a brass knob on the side for transit locking of dial, and the anti slip rubber ring on the reverse is complete. It also comes with a tan coloured leather flap case which is in exceptional condition with all stitching intact.

An unusual Hunter cased pocket Compass with integral folding sight vanes. Known as a direct  reading   compass, it has the East & West poles reversed on the dial, this is done to enable easy reading of the direction that one is facing. Whilst the needle will always find North, the corresponding cardinal point directly below the needle indicates the direction that the person is actually heading.
The compass has an English cross bar needle with a red gemstone pivot, set over an aluminium 2 tier dial with a 360 degree upper scale.
There are no makers marks, it is of nickel plated brass construction ,and probably dates from between the two world wars. Generally in good condition with only some minor rubbing on the case.
It measures 50mm diameter and 20mm in depth, and is quite a unique style of compass.

This is a superb condition prismatic marching compass, almost certainly made by Francis Barker during the first half of the 20th century, and like many Barker compasses is unsigned, but the aluminium dial carries the Reg'd No 355639 which was a design first registered by Francis Barker in 1900. Similar in design to the Verner's pattern compasses of WW1, it's a dry dial compass with a gemstone pivot bearing, and has an automatic transit lock activated by lid closure.
Complete with its leather case, it is in excellent condition, retaining all of its original black finish on the body, and the anti slip rubber ring on the base, which is also stamped 'PROVPAT 4742/42'.
An exceptional compass in full working order, it measures 55mm in diameter not including the prismatic lens block.

A superb WW1 military Officers pocket compass, engraved Sherwood & Co London, V, No 53679, 1915.
Unusually, the engraving is on the base of the compass and it also has the military arrow denoting it was War department issue. The full hunter case is in good dent free condition, and has been polished leaving a nice brassy finish on the outside which contrasts nicely with the nickel plating on the inside. The bevelled glass crystal covers an attractive jeweled dry card Singers Patent style black & white dial.
Compasses by this maker are very scarce and this is a fine example which is in full working order,  with a strong hinge and a functional transit lock.

WW1 Verners pattern MKVII prismatic marching compass with leather case. Engraved Cruchon & Emons London, 1916 on the base, and also the War department military arrow. Still retaining the majority of its black finish on the lid, the Mother of Pearl dial and glass covers are in very good condition. The leather case is embossed L F & Co 1916 so is likely to be its original case, which is also in good condition with all stitching intact. The serial number is 19343 which is engraved inside the lid.
In full working order, a nice complete example.

WW1 Verner's pattern MKVII compass, dated 1915 with leather case and strap. The base is engraved Anglo-Swiss Association, No. 33420, 1915. (also has military arrow). The brass lid retains ALL of its original black finish, with a nice strong hinge. Unusually, the dial card is not the mother of pearl type, but is in excellent condition. The glass crystal is also in good condition, but the orange lubber line has virtually disappeared.
Comes with leather case which is stamped L.F. & Co. the case is in good condition and the carrying strap is complete, although a little worn in places. A fully working compass, with a manually activated transit locking brass knob on side.

A superb pocket watch compass, engraved Clement Clarke Ltd London, VI, 3665, 1918. The inside of the lid is stamped 140753 M.
This particular compass does not have the military arrow which suggests it was made just after the end of WW1 and may have been a private purchase for civilian use, but its made to the same high specification as its military issued counterpart.
The compass comes with a very stylish  12" unhallmarked silver Albert tapered chain which may or may not be the original, but the design suggests it is from the same period.. The nickel plated case is in excellent, dent free condition, and the bevelled glass crystal covers an attractive jeweled dry card dial.
In full working order, an exceptionally clean compass with a strong hinge and a functional transit lock.

A Victorian silvered brass metal cased compass of pocket-watch form with ornately-decorated paper dial. Complete with burgundy-coloured leather travel case with blue velvet lining. Dating from around 1850, the blued steel needle (some minor oxidisation on the N stem halfway up from centre) is finely balanced and engraved with gold N & S for clarity. Although the rear of the case has lost some of its silvering revealing the brass, it still is an attractive piece. Overall 2" diameter including case.

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