Originally designed by a Canadian geologist named D W Brunton in the late 19th century, the Brunton compass is still very much the first choice of many geologists for field mapping of geological objects.
This is a 1942 M2 model made by William Ainsworth & Sons, Denver Colorado, who were the sole manufacturers of Bruntons Patent when it was granted in 1894.
Brunton compasses are still made today, but this is a relatively rare example by the most renowned maker of this type.
Given it's age it does have paint loss on the outside case, but internally in very good condition and fully working.
Measuring between 70mm -75mm in width and 28mm in height it weighs just under 250 grams without it's case.
It comes in a light tan leather case which is in very good condition with all stitching intact.

A nice example of a late Victorian hunter cased pocket compass signed T B Winter & Son. Newcastle on Tyne.' on the inside of the lid.
Fitted with an English cross bar needle that pivots on an agate gemstone above an attractive frosted aluminium dial, the nickel plated case is in fine condition and free of any dents.
A super compass in good working order including the lid activated transit lock, the domed glass crystal is chip free, measures 45mm in diameter.
Dating to circa 1890, a fine antique compass by one of the more respected makers of the 19th century.

Considered to be the best hand held military compass in the world, this Francis Barker M-73 prismatic compass is cosmetically in mint condition with no paint loss, as can be seen from the Photos and bears the Jayish, the symbol of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard.
The M-73 is still in use by many military forces around the world including NATO, and is made from brass/aluminium. This particular example is the liquid filled mils version with a precision sapphire bearing, and comes with its original Iraqi green leather case for protection in the field.
This is a professional compass and is perfect for anyone involved in outdoor pursuits who needs a precision compass.
In good working order with no bubbles in the liquid it's in very good condition, although due to its age the tritium lights are no longer active.

This is a very elegant mid 19th century pocket compass circa 1860, set in a hinged mahogany block 65mm square. It has a shapely blued-steel needle engraved N & S in gold lettering, pivoting over 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.
The compass dial has the makers name 'T B Winter, Grey St, Newcastle', who is recorded as working between 1850-1875.
Fastened with an attractive 7 shaped brass clasp, this is a nice clean compass, with both crystal and dial in clean condition.
In full working order it finds North well, a classic Victorian compass with a traditional dial design.

This surveyor's compass clinometer by Hilger & Watts with its original stitched leather case, is in excellent condition.
A nice example it's engraved on the reverse 'HILGER & WATTS Ltd' the company formed by the amalgamation of well-known instrument makers E. R. Watts and Son, Ltd., and Adam Hilger, Ltd.
It has a black compass needle pivoting on a gemstone bearing above a decorative dial with 360 degree scale, and 16 intercardinal points.
It also incorporates a pendulous arm for measuring angle of slope in inches per yard.
Dating to the mid 20th century it measures 3" in diameter, and is in full working order including the transit lock which is activated by a knurled knob on the side.

A rare pocket compass, with a classic black &white Singers patent design on a Mother of Pearl dial, housed in a full hunter case.
The dent free case is nickel plated on the inside and polished brass on the outside.
Although unsigned this is a quality piece dating to the latter part of the 19th century circa 1880, and in very good condition as can be seen from the Photos.
The clean dial pivots on a gemstone bearing and is set under a slightly domed, undamaged bevelled crystal.
In good working order, with a functioning transit lock and strong hinge, this is an impressive compass, measuring 45mm diameter not including the bow.

Early Victorian brass bodied pocket compass set in a blue velvet lined, Moroccan leather covered case. Direction is indicated by a very attractive blued steel needle, engraved N & S in gold for clarity, above a traditional paper compass rose, all set under a clean domed shape crystal.
Dating from around 1850, not only is this compass quite rare, but the cosmetic condition is very good, including the outer case which still has its original ornate brass clasp.
Measuring 52mm diameter including its leather covered case, the compass is in full working order, and although unsigned, a quality antique in excess of 160 years old.

This trough compass is signed HOLMES BROṣ LONDON, and dates to the first half of the 20th century, probably late 1930's and also has a manual transit lock when the lid is slid in place.
Not used as a traditional compass and known also as a plane table compass, it was used by surveyors to establish the direction of magnetic North when aligning a plane table map or theodolite.
In good working order, the needle of the compass consists of a long narrow magnetised bar of steel, pointed at both ends, with a gemstone bearing at its centre for reduced friction.
In excellent condition and housed in a mahogany case, it measures 165mm x 39mm x 28mm, and weighs 296 grams.

This unusual combined compass/clinometer is set in a very attractive mahogany case, with twin brass side fasteners.
The elegant blued steel needle impressed 'N' and 'S' in gold lettering pivots over a paper dial which has 16 cardinal and inter cardinal points with an inches per yard outer scale.
Like many wood cased compasses of the period it is unsigned, but the use of concealed hinges attaching the lid to the base was a feature used predominately by Francis Barker, and it’s very likely this compass was made by Barker.
In working order, this compass is in very good condition as can be seen by the Photos, and measures 62mm square and 17mm deep, a rare design for a wood cased pocket compass.

A nice example of a WW1 era British Army Officers MK V pocket watch compass with no makers name on the outer case but engraved on the inside of the base cover 'Made in England Dennison Watch Case Co'. (see Photos)
There is also the serial number 119261 M stamped inside the lid.
Dennison was the most prolific maker of this style of compass during WW1, and would often supply compasses on a wholesale basis to other makers who were struggling to meet their quota, and this example may have been from stock that was never issued, until after the war when it would have been disposed of as Army surplus into the civilian market.
The hunter case is in very good condition and retains all its nickel plating both inside and out.
It has a bevelled glass crystal covering the distinctive Singers patent style black & white floating dial, which is mounted on a jewelled brass bearing for reduced friction on the pivot point.
Although not dated, manufacture of the MK V compass design was discontinued in 1916, so we know that this compass predates 1917.
In full working order, it measures 45mm in diameter not including the bow.

The majority of MK V pocket compasses were made during the WW1 period up to 1917 when they were superceded by the MK VI version.
This particular example is quite rare as not only does it date from 1910 with a very low serial number, but it also has the earlier card dial as opposed to the more common aluminium ones found in the majority.
Made by Short & Mason and engraved on the lid 'Short & Mason Ltd, London, V, 1910, 2077', it also has the military arrow, showing that it was issued into service.
The nickel plated hunter case is in very good condition with no plating loss and is free of any dents.
It has a bevelled glass crystal covering the distinctive Singers patent black & white floating dial, which is mounted on a jewelled brass bearing for reduced friction on the pivot point.
In full working order, with a strong hinge, it measures 45mm in diameter, not including the stem.

A fine example of a vintage full hunter cased pocket watch style compass, with a gemstone pivot floating dial and a painted lubber line on the underside of the crystal.
Although there are no makers marks, the design is that of a MK VII which was the last of the hunter cased models first developed in WW1 for the Britiash Army and it dates from the period between the two world wars.
In very good condition, the nickel plated brass case is good with no dings or dents and all the plating is still intact.
Measuring 45mm in diameter, it's all in fine working order with an undamaged crystal, and incorporates an automatic transit lock when the lid is closed.
Unusually, it comes in a leather pouch with an impressed crest showing two crossed keys and the word 'ROMA' which apparently is the coat of arms of Vatican City, and the insignia of the papacy. I suspect this may have been a gift at some point to represent a 'moral compass' perhaps for someone of the Roman Catholic faith.

Made in France toward the end of the 19th century, this is a signed gimbal mounted small boat compass, where the bowl and gimbal are of brass construction.
The dry card dial pivots on a gemstone bearing and is signed on the underside 'F. LUNETEAU, Ingr Opticien, 40 Rue due Palais, LA ROCHELLE ' who were a family of French opticians.

Housed in its original dove tailed pine box, the distinctive dial card has French cardinal points where West is denoted by the letter ‘O’ which stands for Ouest, and the Pole star depicts North.
In very good condition, the only blemish is a small shell chip on the underside of the glass outer edge, its not too noticeable, but I mention it for accuracy.

Box dimensions are 6" square by 4.25" deep, and compass bowl diameter is just under 4".

In good working order, a nice decorative antique which displays very well.

This is known as a Handle compass clinometer, and is in excellent condition, with its original leather case, which is also in very good condition.
A nice example it's engraved on the reverse ' M.D.S. Ltd, London' (MDS stands for Manufacturers & Distributors Syndicate Ltd who were founded in 1920 to deal with Government surplus) and were the retailers, but the maker is Francis Barker & Son who produced these on a wholesale basis for others to retail.
The black compass needle pivots on a gemstone bearing above a decorative dial with 360 degree scale, and 16 intercardinal points. Also incorporates a pendulous arm for measuring angle of slope in centimetres per metre. Dating to the second half of the 20th century, it measures 3" in diameter, and in full working order including the transit lock which is activated by a knurled knob on the side.

A WW1 Verner's pattern MKVIII military marching compass dated 1917, with what is probably its original leather case, also dated 1917.
Engraved F-L with serial no 80490, it also stamped with the British Army War department arrow on the underside of the compass body.
In good condition all round, with a jewelled bearing aluminium dial, the brass case has retained most of its non reflective coating, and there is an automatic transit lock activated by lid closure.
It still has its anti slip rubber ring on the underside, which is so often missing on these compasses, and comes with its leather case which is also in very good condition with all stitching intact.
The leather case is impressed French & Son, London, 1917, who was the maker of the case. In good working order, a genuine piece of Britain's WW1 history.

This is a fine example of a late 19th century small boat compass mounted on gimbals in a mahogany case with a sliding lid, in exceptional condition.
Usually these styles of compasses are quite large, but this particular example, is only 100mm square & 80mm in height, with the compass bowl being just 65mm in diameter, making it a very compact version and therefore much less common.
The compass floating card dial pivots on a gemstone bearing, and is set within a brass bowl which is free of any knocks or dents and retains all its original lacquer.
The wooden case is stamped on the top front edge'A H Baird Edinburgh' who was a 19th century Scottish maker best known for the manufacture of magic lanterns and other photographic equipment.

This is a robust little compass weighing under 500 grams and is in full working order with a clean dial and glass crystal.

An impressive 19th century gimbal mounted ship or boat compass, where the bowl and gimbal are of brass construction and housed in its original oak box with sliding lid.
The dry card dial pivots on a red gemstone bearing, has 32 cardinal & inter cardinal points and there is a very distinctive Fleur de Lis crest denoting North.
However, the dial card has German cardinal points where East is denoted by the letter ‘O’ which stands for Ost.
It’s likely the compass was made in England for the German market or made in Germany itself, but as there are no makers marks its impossible to be sure.
Box dimensions are 5.25" square by 4.75" deep, compass diameter is 3.25".
Circa 1870, not only is it in good working order, but also a nice decorative antique which displays very well.

This is a large prismatic artillery compass, made by Stanley of London, probably during the 1930's. Its an impressive instrument measuring 110mm in diameter and incorporates a number of features not found on the more standard models, including two rotating red & blue sun filters on the prism, with an adjustable folding mirror on the back sight.
A precision item made to the highest quailty standard, it's in very good condition and comes with its original leather case which is also in excellent condition. It goes without saying that this is a genuine Stanley instrument, and not one of the many reproductions which regrettably are still catching out many unsuspecting buyers.
In good working order, the 360 degree silvered dial ring finds North consistently, and is protected by a separate push fit cover, there is also a transit lock activated by the folding of the sights.

A substantial compass, it weighs just over 700 grams, and 900 grams with its leather case.

This is a mahogany cased pocket compass made in England by M. Ash of Birmingham, but clearly for export as the dial pattern is French, note the 'O' (Ouest) for West.
The inside of the lid is inpressed with the makers details: M. ASH, 4 BULL St, BIRMm. I believe this was possibly the optician Morris Ash who is recorded as working in Bull Street from around 1888, but from the compass design, I would date this compass to the early part of the 20th century.
It has an aluminium dial which is two tiered, having the cardinal points on the lower part, with the upper tier consisting of a 360 degree graduated scale for taking more accurate readings.
An antique compass in good clean condition as can be seen by the Photos, with a blue tipped needle which pivots on a gemstone bearing for reduced friction.
It measures 70mm square & 20mm deep, is fully functional with a lid activated transit lock.

Wood cased compasses are for the most part unsigned, but this is a very nice Mariners style compass in a mahogany case which has a makers name reading ‘ Casella, London, Instrument maker to the Admiralty’ around the dial centre.
The maker is a Louis Paschel Casella who worked in Hatton Garden from 1844 and is a very collectable name, particularly as the firm is still operating today, albeit on a more hi-tech basis.
Also much larger than other block compasses of the period, it measures an impressive 5" square and 1.5" in thickness with the lid closed, the inner dial is just over 4" in diameter. (see last photo which has a 6"rule for scale)
The compass is of the floating card dial type with a gemstone pivot & probably dates to between 1860 & 1870.
In full working order, with a transit lock activated on lid closure and fastened by two brass catches, the cosmetic condition is also very good. A classic Victorian compass with a traditional design.

This is a fine example of a WW2 full hunter cased British Army Officers pocket compass, engraved 'MK VI 1940, F Barker &Son (1932) Ltd, London, B 4474' on the lid and also has the War department military arrow, which shows it was issued to the field.
The nickel plated hunter case is in a clean undented condition, with a bevelled glass crystal covering the jewelled floating dial.
As can be seen from the Photos, its in really good condition, and in full working order, with a strong hinge, including the transit lock. It measures 45mm diameter.

This is a Handle compass clinometer, by J H Steward and is signed 'J. H. STEWARD Ltd, 406 & 457 Strand, London'. Dating to the early part of the 20th century, it's in very good condition and comes in its original leather case which is also in good order.
The black compass needle pivots on a gemstone bearing above a decorative dial with 360 degree scale, and 16 intercardinal points. It also incorporates a pendulous arm for measuring rise & fall. Measures 70mm in diameter, and in full working order including the transit lock which is activated by a brass lever on the side.

This is a fine example of a WW2 era full hunter cased British Army Officers style pocket compass, engraved 'F Barker &Son (1932) Ltd, London, 1935, MK VI, No 4993' on the lid, but without any military arrow so was probably a private purchase or a peacetime model.
The nickel plated hunter case is in a clean bright condition, with a bevelled glass crystal covering the jewelled floating dial.
As can be seen from the Photos, its in really good condition, and in full working order, with a strong hinge, including the transit lock. It measures 45mm diameter.

A very distinctive lacquered brass cased explorers pocket compass circa 1830.
Although there is no makers name, the dial has a masonic all seeing eye style logo with the words 'Trade Mark' directly under the North point., which I have since discovered was the trademark logo of James Parkes, Birmingham.
The company was established in 1815 and made a variety of mathematical instruments for the Great Exhibition of 1851, but magnetic compasses by this maker are comparatively rare, and their dial designs tend to be quite different to other makers of the period.
The attractive floating dial is in very good legible condition and housed under a clean glass crystal.
The brass case is also in good condition, still having most of its original lacquer, albeit with some tarnishing but no dents, and has its original push on protective brass lid.
In full working order, an early antique compass which measures 70mm diameter and 25mm deep.

A large late 19th century gimbal mounted ships compass of impressive proportions.
The floating dial pivots on a gemstone bearing, has 32 cardinal & inter cardinal points with the outer edge marked in four 90 degree quadrants, and there is a distinctive Fleur de Lis crest denoting North.
In excellent condition all round, the card dial is clean and the glass cover is free from any chips or cracks.
The compass is mounted in a oak box with separate lid, dimensions are 9" square by 5.5"" deep, and the compass bowl diameter is 6.5".
A visually stunning antique compass in good working order, which would look great in most surroundings.
This is a substantial instrument weighing nearly 3kgs unpacked, so unfortunately overseas shipping is not cheap!

Please note: due to weight, delivery will be by courier, therefore it is important that a contact telephone number be entered through the shopping cart at checkout stage, and also note that items cannot be shipped to PO boxes as these are not catered for by couriers.

A nice example of an early 20th century brass cased pocket compass with a gemstone pivot floating dial under a clean crystal which has the four main cardinal points painted in red on the underside.
Made by Short & Mason around 1910, the dial has the name Tycos which was a brand name used for the American market in after they entered a partnership with Taylor Instruments, Rochester, New York.
Inn very good cosmetic condition, the brass case has a warm age patination, and is dent free.
Measuring 50mm diameter & 15mm deep, this is a robust yet attractive compass in good working order, finds North easily, and has a lid activated transit lock to minimise wear on the pivot.