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COMPASSES Page 1 (FOR SALE) |
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This is a pre WW2 Artillery
compass made by F Barker & Son. A precision instrument, it's in very
good condition with the body retaining most of its original oxidised black
finish, and is engraved F Barker & Son (1932) Ltd. 1936 No
B. 11, along with the military arrow.
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This is a 20th century prismatic
compass possibly used for educational purposes, with a green aluminium dial
set within a circular wooden case. Measuring just under 100mm in overall
diameter, the prism and rear sights can be removed for transit & can
be vertically adjusted for focusing. There is also a finger push stop, plus
a screw operated transit lock, and the dial pivots on a jewel producing
a consistent reading, finding North quickly with minimal lag before settling.
No makers name on the dial but almost certainly made by Francis
Barker & Son, a decorative desk item with a practical use.
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This is a 19th century
open faced pocket compass set in a brass case measuring 33mm
in diameter. The distinctive dial dates the compass to around 1875
although the main cardinal points appear to have had some sort of luminous
compound added, probably at a later date. Frustratingly, there are faint
letters around the pivot, but these have faded and its impossible to make
out who the maker was, but the dial is in otherwise very clean condition.
It has a manual transit lock activated by a sliding knob on the side, and
the dial has a jewelled pivot. A very collectable compass in
good working order.
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This is a quite unusual pocket compass with
integral folding sight vanes and housed in a two part leather case. This
is a precision compass and has a blued steel needle with a jewelled
pivot, set over an aluminium 2 tier dial with a 360 degree upper scale.
Its likely this was made in the first half of the 20th century, probably
for a surveyor and is in fine working order, including a manual transit
lock and a nickel plated top cover lid for added protection. Measures 60mm
diameter and 20mm in depth, a quite unique style of compass which although
unsigned is a quality item.
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| Impressive Georgian compass circa
1825 ,set in a hinged mahogany block 3"square.
The compass has a shapely blued steel needle engraved N
& S in gold lettering for clarity, with a paper compass
rose divided into degrees and also showing all the points of the compass
with a fleur de lys for North. The needle is locked in position for transit by a brass pin which comes into play when the lid is closed. Fastened with an elegant 7 shaped brass clasp, this is in relatively clean condition for a compass which is over 180 years old, albeit with some age staining on the paper dial. Every thing is in working order, and retains the original undamaged glass, a genuine antique compass with a traditional design.
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Black lacquered brass, Green card prismatic
compass by C Owen Optician, 46 & 48 City Rd, London.
The folding front sight locks the compass card for transit, and
the rear prism sight allows for focusing the front sight and objective,
which locks down by means of a brass strap. Measures just under 3"
in diameter and comes with its original leather case (in good condition
but no straps) monogrammed with the initials E.G. which
are also engraved on the compass reverse. Dates to the second half of the
19th century, circa 1860, a nice Victorian compass by a quality London maker,
in working order.
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| A nice example of a Hunter cased pocket compass
by Negretti & Zambra, which dates to the early part
of the 20th century, and quite similar in style to the WW1 British Army
Officers compasses. Fitted with a jewelled English cross
bar needle above an attractive dial, it has 'Negretti & Zambra
London ' engraved on the opening lid, along with the N&Z
logo, although some of the letters are now a little faint. This is a rare
compass by N & Z, which is in good condition, but with several small
dints on the lid. However, everything is in working order including the
lid activated transit lock, and the glass crystal is chip free, measures
45mm in diameter. A very collectable compass by probably the most renowned firm of instrument makers.
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Unsigned military style open
faced pocket compass with a distinctive black & white jewelled
pivot dial under a bevelled glass crystal. Dating from the WW2 period, originally the case outer would have been blackened brass, but this one has been highly polished, and looks quite impressive, with only light rubbing in places. This elegant slim compass is in good condition and measures 45mm diameter by 7mm in height. In full working order, it comes in a modern presentation box.
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This is an
impressive Georgian gimbaled marine compass dating to
around 1825. The bowl and gimbal are of lacquered brass
construction and housed in its original mahogany box with sliding lid.
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A fine condition pocket watch
compass, engraved Short & Mason Ltd London, V. Although
made to the same specification as its military counterpart used during WW1,
this one does not have the War department arrow, as it was made prior to
WW1 probably around 1910. There are not many pre WW1 Mark V compasses which makes this particular one quite a rare piece, and it's in very good condition with a clean Singers patent style dial & damage free crystal. the nickel plated case is also in a nice bright condition. In full working order, with a strong hinge and a functional transit lock, a fine compass from one of the rarer makers.
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| WW1 Verner's
style prismatic marching compass with leather case, although
unsigned it carries the military arrow on the underside and dates to around
1916. The design is identical to the MKVII
model with the traditional mother of pearl dial, for
low light reading, and as can be seen from the photos is in very good
condition, retaining all of its original black finish on the lid, and
also the anti slip rubber ring on the reverse.
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| An unsigned Georgian gilded
brass pocket compass , circa 1825. The white enamelled
dial is in fine condition and has a shapely blued steel needle engraved
N & S for clarity, all set under its original bevelled crystal. Although
the gilded brass case has lost some of its original gilding its still in
a very presentable condition. Measuring 42mm in diameter not including the bow, the compass is in working order and finds North quite easily. Please note the compass comes in a modern green satin lined presentation box.
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| Nice example of an Edwardian
brass cased pocket compass with an English cross bar needle on a jewelled
pivot, and signed E Lennie McCall, Optcian Edinburgh.
Dating to around 1910, its in good clean condition with a later replacement bow ring, and undamaged crystal. The brass case is also in good condition with a warm patination, and is dent free. Measuring 40mm diameter, this is a sturdy yet attractive compass in working order, and finds North easily (on this compass the cross bar on the needle indicates South).
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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.
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Elegant Swiss
made open face pocket compass with side action needle lock. Very
slim in construction the dial design is similar to both Dennison and Swiss
Longines types. Measuring 38mm diameter overall, with a jewelled pivot,
and housed in a dent free nickel plated case with glass crystal, a quality
piece in very good condition, that I suspect is quite unique in its own
way. Dating to around 1920, it is in full working order.
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A fine Officers
style pocket watch compass, in a nickel plated Dennison case, stamped Dennison
Birmingham VI 1918 on the outside of the lid.
The inside of the lid has the serial no 199782W engraved. 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 it's made to the same high specification as its military issued counterpart. The nickel plated hunter case is in excellent condition, with all its original nickel plating, and the bevelled glass crystal covers an attractive jeweled aluminium dial. In full working order, a very clean compass with a strong hinge and a functional transit lock.
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| This is an unusual pocket compass which incorporates
a clinometer arm, set in a very attractive mahogany
case, with two elegant brass fasteners. A quite unusual design, the aluminium
dial has an upper 360 degree graduated scale for compass readings, whilst
the lower scale is for the clinometer function. Made by Flatters
& Garnett who specialised in entemological
equipment and were operating from the Dover St address
between 1906 and 1909, it carries their trade label inside
the lid. Measuring 70mm square & 23mm deep, this compass is in very good condition, and is fully functional with an automatic needle transit lock..
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A superb WW1 military pocket
watch compass, engraved Sherwood & Co London, V, No 62058,
1916. Unusually, the engraving is on the base of the compass
and it also has the military arrow denoting it was War department issue.
The nickel plated case is in good dent free condition,
although the lid has rubbed in places revealing the original brass substrate
(see photos). The bevelled glass crystal covers an attractive jeweled
dry card Singers Patent style black & white dial.
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| Pocket compasses by Negretti & Zambra
do not turn up too often, and its been sometime since I've had one in such
good condition. It dates to the end of the 19th century, and is a really
handsome piece, fitted with a jewelled English bar needle
above an attractive dial, it has Negretti & Zambra London
printed on a small circular overlay around the pivot. It also comes with
a single Albert chain & T bar measuring just over 10" in length.
In full working order including the lid activated transit lock, the nickel plated case is dent free and has a strong hinge. A rare compass by probably one of the most renowned firm of instrument makers.
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A rare Regency period
mahogany cased Mariners compass measuring just over 60mm
square. The attractive paper compass dial card is of a very early design
and in surprisingly clean condition. Dating to between 1800 - 1820
and complimented by the small triangular hand made hinges, a clean
compass which is probably approaching 200 years old. In
good condition and in full working order, including the original transit
lock, a nice example of a very early antique compass.
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A small nickel plated pocket compass
of French origin, note the ' O ' (Ouest) for West. Made
in the first half of the 20th century, this is a night
compass, with a luminous tip on the needle and also luminous dots on the
four main cardinal points, with North having a double dot for easy orientation
in the dark. The aluminium dial has an upper chapter ring scaled from
0 to 360 degrees, and the needle pivots on a jewel for reduced friction.
Although only 40mm diameter, it has a good substantial feel to it and is
in really good condition as can be seen from the photos.
A quite unusual design, it's in full working order including the transit
lock, and comes with its original cloth pouch.
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Vintage English made
Hunter cased pocket compass, with an English cross bar
needle on a jewelled pivot above an aluminium dial, covered by a domed bevelled
crystal which is in good undamaged condition. Imprinted 'Made in England'
around the centre of the dial, the nickel plated case is also in sound condition,
with a working transit lock. Measuring 55mm in diameter, a nice clean compass in full working order, dating to the first quarter of the 20th century.
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An attractive Victorian
pocket compass set in blue velvet lined fishskin case, measuring
45mm in diameter, and dating to the last quarter of the
19th century. Unusually, the crystal is slightly domed and it sits above
a blued steel needle, engraved N & S in gold lettering for clarity.
The paper dial is still quite clean, and incorporates 8 cardinal points
& 8 unmarked intercardinal points. In full working order, the condition
of both compass & case is very good.
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Impressive Victorian compass circa
mid 19th century ,unusually set in a circular dark mahogany block
53mm diameter. The compass has a shapely blued-steel needle
engraved N & S in gold lettering, and a clean paper dial divided into
degrees and also showing all the points of the compass. The needle is held
by a detent which comes into play when the lid is closed. Fastened with
a brass clasp, this is a rare compass, with both crystal and dial
in fine order. In full working order, a real classic with
a traditional design.
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A very distinctive pocket watch
compass, with a classic Mother of pearl, Singers
patent style design dial. Housed in a nickel plated brass hunter case which
is in good condition, although the nickel plating has lightly rubbed on
the top of the lid. The compass comes with a 10" hallmarked silver double albert chain with T bar, and each individual link has a lion stamp. Although unsigned, this is a quality piece dating to the turn of the 20th century, and the dial has a jeweled pivot set under a domed & bevelled crystal. In full working order, quite a rare, antique compass with a functional transit lock, measuring 45mm diameter not including the bow.
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An unusual Hunter cased
pocket Compass with integral folding sight vanes. No makers marks,
nickel plated brass construction ,and probably dates from between the two
world wars. Generally in very good condition, although there are three initials
lightly scratched on the base underside (perhaps the previous owner). The
compass has an English bar needle with a jewelled pivot, set over
an aluminium 2 tier dial with a 360 degree upper scale. All in fine working
order, including a manual transit lock. Measures 50mm diameter and
20mm in depth, a quite unique style of compass.
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| A superb
Georgian gilded brass pocket compass set in blue velvet lined leather
case, circa 1820. Although unsigned this is a rare compass
with a porcelain or ceramic dial which is in excellent
condition with no hairline cracks. The English bar needle pivots on a jewel
for accuracy and resistance to wear, and is set under an undamaged bevelled
crystal. The gilded brass case does show signs of rubbing on the reverse,
but is dent free and the hanging ring is a later replacement. It comes fitted
in a brown leather case which is in good sound condition and retains its
ornate brass fastening clasp. Measuring 42mm in diameter not including the bow, the compass is in working order and finds North easily and settles quickly.
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This is a stunning desk top compass
of impressive proportions, measuring just under 9" in diameter.
Made by Francis Barker & Son, and carrying their small
but familiar Trade Mark London, arranged in a triangle
with an inset logo reading B&S. The attractive paper dial is in exceptional condition and is set under a jewelled steel needle measuring nearly 7" in length, the glass crystal is also original and in excellent condition. Dating to around 1890, this mahogany cased compass was probably intended for use as an impressive desk ornament, a purpose it would still fulfil today, particularly on an executive's desk. In full working order, it finds North easily and settles quckly, a quite splendid Victorian compass with rare novelty value.
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WW1 Officers pocket compass
signed 'Ed Koehn, Geneva, Switzerland, 36478, 1915'.
The Nickel plated hunter case is in very good condition,as
is the jewelled pivot dial and bevelled glass. Fitted
with lid activated transit lock, a fully working compass with style.
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Made in the style of the WW1 officers
pocket watch compasses , this is the first compass I have seen
bearing the name Dollond & Aitchison London engraved
on the inside of the lid. The absence of any military markings, and the
fact we know that Dollond & Aitchison did not merge until 1923,
indicates that this is likely to be a peacetime compass and a rare one at
that! Originally the gunmetal finish would have covered all the nickel,
but although the top & inside retains all the original finish, the base
has been cleaned off back to the nickel plating (see photos). The inside
is in virtually mint condition & the bevelled glass crystal covers an
attractive jeweled black & white dial. In full working order, with strong
hinge including a working transit lock, and no dents in the case.
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19th century brass cased pocket compass with
push fit lid. Signed 'W H Moralee, North Shields'
on the distinctive dial. Unusually,
the lid is not only engraved with its former owner, G W B Branwell, but
also dated 1873. I suspect the compass is actually earlier than this date,
as the maker was working in North Shields from the early part of the 19th
century. Measures 35mm diameter & in good working order.
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