NOTE: the following article deals
with the original Bézard
compasses and their imitations but detailed information is still
missing. Thank you for any detail concerning the production years of
the various models. The Online Compass Museum would also be very
grateful for any documentation (original or copy) concerning this
instrument's history and technology.
(for our email address: see CONTACT)
CONTENT
THE BÉZARD COMPASS – ALMOST A CENTURY OF
HISTORY
This compass was invented and patented by Johann Ritter von
Bézard, an officer (of Polish origin) serving in the
Imperial Austrian Army. Over time he was promoted from Captain to Major
and finally to Colonel.
A curriculum
vitae is in preparation. A version (in Polish language) can
be found on the "Fundacja Tadeusz Kosciuszki" foundation website of the
History Museum in Kielce, Poland, (see LINKS)..
NOTE: The instrument described in the original patent below
was built among other by the French nautical clock maker J.
Auricoste.
 |
The system was patented in several
countries at about the same time.
In the German Empire (photo left), it was on November 25, 1902 by the
then Captain Johann Ritter von Bézard (Ritter meaning
Knight, his nobility title) domiciliated in Neusohl, Hungary.
The Museum has patent copies from the following countries:
Austro-Hungarian Empire, German Empire, Switzerland, France,
Great-Britain and Canada.
The text of a box cover also states Russia, Japan and USA but we have
so far no copy.
Photo right: engraved below the
serial no. are the patent no. and the abbreviation D.R.P. (Deutsches
Reichs-Patent). |
 |
Patent for the Austro-Hungarian
Empire
No. 13413 (Feb. 15, 1903)

Patent for Switzerland
No. 27,752 (Nov. 13, 1902)
 |
Patent for France
No. 326.536 (Nov. 12, 1902)

(exerpt, 1st and 3rd p.) |
Patent for Great-Britain
No. 24,874 (Sept. 17, 1903)
 |
Patent for Canada
No. 90,148 (1904)
 |
This compass was officially designated on the boxes (see
below) "
Diopter-Orientierungsbussole" i.e. magnetic
compass with alidade, but it became very famous under the name
"Bézard-Kompass" or the Bézard Compass. It was
immediately adopted by the Austrian Imperial Army and then later in
Germany as a result of intense lobbying.

It can be seen in the hands of the Austro-Hungarian explorer, Count
László Ede Almásy in photographs
dating to the early 1930’s. Almásy had explored
the Libyan Sahara where he discovered the famous cave paintings. His
life was covered in the Anthony Minghella film
"The English
Patient".
(Click on
the photo to enlarge)
This scene, that only lasts a few seconds, was probably only for
publicity. A sighting operation takes much longer, and in such a short
time frame the needle would not be able to settle !
NOTA : This photographic still
from the film "The Sahara – a Lost Paradise" has been kindly
provided by the Science Vision © production company www.sciencevision.at
who also pointed out that it is not an original shot, but a modern
production.
The 1902 patent describes a wooden casing (see the marching
compass made by J. Auricoste). These are extremely rare. The oldest
models usually found are made of a bakelite type case called Hartgummi
(hard rubber) in the German documentation. Later produced models were
made of aluminium. The basic model was called the Armeemodell 1910 II,
also known as the Spiegelmodell 1906 (1906 mirror version).
A civil version (card calibrated in 360 degrees) and a military version
(6400 MILS) were produced.
This graduation could be ordered in clockwise or anti-clockwise
versions. The small model was available with (I S) or without (I) the
mirror and only calibrated in 360 degrees.
The German version of the Bézard compass was manufactured by
the
barometer manufacturer
Georg LUFFT located in
Stuttgart. Three
different logos were used. The most common ones are
the letters G & L together with a drawing compass or the Name
LUFFT in gothic fonts. A very seldom used one, and probably the oldest
of all, features a flat cylindric
shape with an axis and the name LUFFT (seen on
older barometers and Bézard compasses).
 |

The oldest logo
(see example further below, Czechoslovakia) |
 |
The logo currently used by
this company depicts its
name
written in gothic letters.
The inscription on the compass rose also changed during the course of
manufacture: Thus one sees PATENT-BÉZARD and
ORIGINAL-BÉZARD in several languages (see below). The
inscription BÉZARD-KOMPASS
also appeared on the obverse of the casing. |

(Click
on picture for enlarged view)
|

|

 |
The appearance of the dial and the needle has had two
distinctly different forms.
Left: the arrow-shaped pointer was glued onto a magnetic needle with
wax.
The letter N is partly covered by a radium paint
line.
Right: The dial had a cut-out corresponding exactly to the shape of the
arrow. There were also two lines of radium paint on both sides of the
opening (right). This device allowed for a good visibility when
superimposing them using the mirror even in relative darkness. |
 |
On The military model (Armeemodell) 1910 II, the
declination was set and could not be adapted (9 deg. West). This value
corresponded to the center of Germany at the turn of the century.
It became adjustable on later models (see below).
 |

On the large Armeemodell II, the course index was a red dash painted on
a celluloid tab inserted between the mirror hinge and the bakelite case.
This device was later replaced with a metal tongue placed vertically in
a slot in the hinge and across the mirror’s rotational axis. |
The dial of a Bézard Model I (French export
version): The index is a simple metal pointer.

On later versions the arrow-shaped paper pointer was replaced with a
more conventional system. The South mark on the celluloid disk
comprised a luminous circle within which the observer had to place the
South end of the needle, itself ending with a small luminous disc. |
The Bézard compass was an entirely new concept and
brought numerous innovations. This explains why it was often copied
(see the paragraph on imitations at the end of the article).
In comparison to other models used
at the time the new features were as follows:
- The lid had two slots set in its sides to allow precision sighting of
a target.
- The compass dial could be read simultaneously in a hinged mirror.
The dial featured originally a red label aligned East-West. It
comprised a logo containing the words PATENT BEZARD and the initials of
the cardinal points at the ends (W and O for WEST and OST in German,
photo left).
This label was an essential element when using the compass.
Nevertheless its handling seemed as simple as indicated in the labels
in the boxes (see below).
|
Used with a map one kept the label
parallel with the place names indicated on the map, which are always
written on an East-West axis, and turned the casing to place the base
of the lid over the axis of the route to be followed to align a target
from one’s present position.
On the later versions the text was modified to ORIGINAL-BEZARD written
in black on a white (luminous) background and also, later on, without
the luminous background. In the final version the Bezard was liquid
damped, and the label carried the wording FLUID BEZARD in English
between two white lines. |
Sketch: The Bezard compass set on a map.

|
While walking, you only had to hold the compass in such
a way that the North point of the needle aligned with the magnetic
North marker. The direction of travel was indicated by the luminous
arrow fixed in the lid and by the word DIREKTION (or RICHTUNG) crossed
with an arrow, engraved on the exterior facing of the lid. |
| To detect the position of a target one had to hold the
compass to the eye and view the target through the slots in the lid.
The mirror, inclined at around 45 degrees, reflected an image of the
card and the needle. It was then necessary to turn the capsule until
the arrow-shaped needle and the corresponding cut-out (or the South
marker of the needle in the circle on the card) were perfectly
superimposed. |

Taking a bearing. The compass could be fixed to a staff or a stick to
aid taking a special bearing. |
Corroded
aluminium lid marked DIREKTION
 |
Stainless
steel lid marked RICHTUNG
 |
One of the series bore the word
RICHTUNG instead of DIREKTION. The typography is interesting: the
horizontal bars of the H and the T are inclined and aligned like runes
carved in soft wood.
(Note: the apparent dots each side of the word RICHTUNG
are actually fixing screws for the card arrow). |
The first models were equipped with an aluminium lid that quickly
oxidised (photo left). It was replaced with a stainless steel lid. From
the 1950’s (exact date ?), it was painted military green for
the German and French armies and for the German Border Police (BGS).
At the base of the lid there is a 50mm slide on the large model II.
After WWII, a 40mm ruler was also engraved on the small models' lid.
The exterior of the lid bears the word DIREKTION (or DIRECTION but also
RICHTUNG) across an arrow indicating the direction of travel. On the
inside of the lid is a luminous arrow in card that is fixed with two
screws.
 |
The slots on the small Model I S manufactured after the
Second World War terminated at the base like a gun sight. (Photo left:
Model I S, c. 1960)
Model II also has two clips used to fix a 10cm graduated slide. |
 |
Sightings in the dark were easy thanks to a 10cm
graduated slide bearing two lines of Radium paint that was mounted in
the support at the base of the lid. After World War II, the slides no
longer had Radium paint. The shape of the supports changed over time:
at first they were flat on the first models with a Bakelite casing,
they were followed by two levels and with larger screws on the
aluminium casing. |
 |
There have been three different versions.
On the large Model II it was soldered to one half of a hinge, the other
half being screwed to the Bakelite casing (picture left). On later
models they comprised part of the hinge (see model BUK, picture right).
Its was not perfectly round like the small model but elliptical with a
short nose to erect it more easily with a finger nail.
On the small model I S (center - the letter S is the initial for the
German word
Spiegel, mirror), its hinge was not in
the middle but close to the lid. It had a small triangular cut-out for
the course index.
The latest model (BUK FLUID, at right) also featured an additional
small cut-out (like a moon quarter) on the fringe.
Large model II
 |
Small model I
S
 |
BUK FLUID
 |
(With regard to the use of MILS, see the chapter
“MISCELLANEOUS”, “Divisions”).
In the first
manual by Major Gallinger (1929, p. 8, Fig. 5, see chapter Technical
Publications) it states that the MILS graduation had the 0/6400 marker
at the South and the 3200 mark at the North in order to "conform with
devices used by artillery and heavy infantry weaponry".

 |
In order to meet
the needs of all clients, a replacement solution was offered: An
additional ring-shaped disk made of aluminium with MILS divisions could
be inserted between the crystal and the original rose with degrees
divisions, thus covering only the degrees scale but not the cardinal
points. The crystal was easy to remove so that the MILS ring could be
placed either with the zero mark to North or South. In the same time,
the declination could be adapted, since it had diminished by
approximately 2 degrees since the development of the system.
The marching course index was at that time a red line on a tiny
celluloid tab placed between the mirror's hinge and the case (pic.
left, bottom). |
Four years
later, in its second manual, Gallinger (1933, p. 8, Fig. 3) stated by
way of addended (red label) that the graduation was also available with
the zero mark to North, due to numerous requests...

 |
The declination could be adjusted for local
requirements. Under the capsule glass two overlapping celluloid disks
could be moved in relation to each other. One bore the graduations and
the other (situated underneath the first) the luminous marks for the
cardinal points, i.e. a line for magnetic North and a circle for South.
One placed the line opposite the local value for magnetic North.
However, this procedure was rather difficult: One had to remove and
then replace three tiny screws and a 1cm long tiny flexible pin acting
as a spring (not shown on the picture).
Right: One of the three screw: |
Bézard Compass dismantled: in the lower
section, the two celluloid discs.
 |
On the BUK III model realized from the 1930’s
correction for magnetic declination was easier and did not require the
dismantling of the compass: a small pin attached to a cord allowed the
locking of the lower disc by means of a hole situated on the mirror
hinge and then it was only necessary to turn the capsule in order to
set the rose to the correct value.

Simplified adjustment for magnetic declination on compass BUK III |
Jakubowski's patent
A system for locking the adaption of the magnetic
declination was developed in 1933 by Olgierd Jakubowski
(Warsaw, patent no. 20963*). A disk with a sliding
ruler at
the
capsule's base could be rotated by the declination's angular figure and
locked with three screws. The sliding ruler would be then used like the
East-West-line of the original Bézard compass. This ruler
also
pushed the needle upwards when closing (transit lock).
* Translation in
German available |
 |
Compare with the Mod. 1922 made by DOIGNON
|
| The early models had a round or oval loop fixed to a
stem as on pocket watches. After World War II, this was replaced by a
riveted loop, less aesthetic, but cheaper and more resistant. Many lids
still had the hole for the loop fitting. |
 |
 |
The most evolved model, aimed at ambitious hikers and
soldiers, was the Bézard-Universalkompass (BUK). The
sighting slits had two transversal wires at mid-height thus forming two
reticules. Using these, with the spirit level and the pendular
clinometer incorporated in the lid, one could take fairly accurate
bearings in three dimensions and even approximately aim mortar
artillery.
The BUK is based on the system which Erich Wolf
patented in September 1917 (patent no. 80134) for an artillery compass.

The BUK II and its folding MILS/cm slide
|
The conversion table on the back of
the casing and the reticule in the lid slot.
 |

Aiming a machine gun using the Bézard compass
(Click on image to see detail) |
The folding MILS/cm slide

The BUK was supplied with an accessory allowing rapid estimation of
target distance, a slide graduated in MILS and centimeters. It
comprised two articulated branches each of 80 mm.
The divisions corresponded with centimetres but they were graduated in
MILS for the first 100mm, the remainder was graduated in mm. This gave:
0-20-40-...-200-11-12... |
The folding slide was attached to the compass by a thin
cord and had to be kept at approximately 50 cm from the eye.
The procedure (for a right-handed person) was as follows: hold the
slide still in the right hand with the end bearing the divisions to the
left. Place the zero aligned with the left side of the observed object
and read the corresponding value on the right side with the thumb nail
(see sketch top right). A prior condition for all measurements was that
one of the parameters must be known or easily estimated: if the
observer wishes to know the distance to the target he has to estimate
its size (house, vehicle, etc.) for example depending on the average
size of a person. If, for a house approximately 20 metres wide, you
measure 20 units, then it is at 1km distance given that 1 unit equals
1m as seen 1km away.
Same method applies for vertical measurements (hold the ruler vertical)
(bottom illustration). |
Illustrations taken from the Manual by R. GALLINGER
"Der Bézard-Kompass" (1933):
 |
The last model marketed (until 1996) by LUFFT was a liquid
damped version known as the FLUID BÉZARD. Those two words
replaced the classical ORIGINAL BÉZARD crystal marking which
had also been used in a first development. This version featured a (for
Bézard absolutely unusual) red-and-white needle like the
WILKIE compasses and this may have been the result of some kind of
co-operation because WILKIE mastered the liquid damping technology very
early after WWII.
In the military version, the words FLUID BÉZARD were placed
between two white lines representing the WEST-EAST axis. It existed in
a civil version, a military one and even as a wrist-top compass with
the abbreviation 'Bw' for Bundeswehr, i.e. West German Army. In
addition to the circle at the needle's South end, the crystal's North
mark featured two converging lines in which the needle's arrow head was
to be set.
 |

View from below |
The first version of the liquid
damped Bézard's with the classical stripe (ORIGINAL
BÉZARD in black letters on white ground) and a new
red-and-white WILKIE-type needle
(Pictures sent by a priv.
collector) |

Simple civil version
The metallic case and lid were coated with verdigris enamel |

In the military version (BUK), the words FLUID BEZARD and the lines
were white. |

Wrist-top Fluid-Bézard model "Bw"
(Bundeswehr / Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany)
(Photo: courtesy Ted Brink
see LINKS, Military compasses) |
The two models (Armeemodell 1910 I and II) were supplied in
cardboard boxes on which the printed illustrations formed the
instructions. A photograph taken in front of a mirror showed the
correct way to hold the compass. Different illustrations for different
models showed the way to use the instrument, those for Model I being
slightly simpler than those for Model II. Here are a few examples.
The small model (Armeemodell 1910 I)
Cover picture
 |
Inside the lid
and the bottom of the box
 |
How to bypass a
lake
with only three course resettings


Photo at right: the self luminescent radium paint on the arrows inside
the lid and on the compass rose |
The large model (Armeemodell 1910 II)
Cover picture
 |
The photo inside the lid shows how to hold the compass.

(The bottom of the box shows the same illustration as the box for the
small model I) |
Illustration: comparison of a set journey carried out
by a user after only 20 minutes instruction
(point 3)
(Von einem in 20 Minuten hiezu ausgebildeten Handlanger
aufgenommen)
 |
The oldest:
Black, ribbed, edge-to-edge stitching
 |
The finest:
Brown, smooth leather, corner stitching

|
The last version:
Brown lacquer

|
- Manuals for familiarisation and for professionals
The two most important publications are the manuals edited by the
Austrian Major Rudolf Gallinger who sold compasses, accessories and
technical documentation in Graz (Austria).
 |
The Bézard
compass
use in orienteering and in combat, 152 pages, published by the author,
1929 |
 |
The BÉZARD
Compass
40 examples of orientation for hikers and skiers, 41 pages, published
by the author, 1933
|

-
User instructions supplied with the compass
As well as the sketches on the boxes, detailed user instructions
accompanied the compass. Several types existed over the years. Here is
a small selection (non-exhaustive):
- - "Nachts leuchtende Orientierungs-Bussole. Patent Major v.
Bézard", 16 p., price in Crowns (Austrian), Marks (German)
and Swiss Francs, printed in Latin letters with no indication of the
author (probably the 1930’s)
- - "Patentierte Orientierungs-Bussole nach Oberst von
Bézard", author: Dipl.-Ing. Hans EBER, 19 p. printed in
Gothic script, printed by the university's press, editor Dr. C. Wolf
& Sohn, Munich Jungfernturmstr. 2, (before 1945?)
- - "BÉZARD Boussole, Orientierungs-Boussole
Patent Bézard", no indication of author, printed in Latin
letters with red motifs on the cover page, 11 p. (civilian version for
Austria?)
- - "Original-Bézard-Kompass" printed by G. Lufft
Metallbarometerfabrik GmbH, 12 p., 1950's(?), for models I S and II.
- - "Universal-Bezard-Kompass", printed (G. Lufft
Metallbarometerfabrik GmbH), 8 p., 1950's (?), only for BUK model.
- - Essay: "Orientierungsbussole Bézard" by Major
A. Staubwasser, published in "Kriegstechnische Zeitung" (Armed Forces
News), 1913, journal no. 10, printed separately by Mittler und Sohn,
Berlin W, Kochstr. 48 (The Online Compass Museum unfortunately is not
in possession of a copy).
- - Essay: plea for the adoption of this compass by the
German army, appeared in a military journal : "Wegerkundung"
(author’s initials: B. H. R.)
For export to French speaking countries, a (very badly translated)
notice was included with models exported prior to the Second World War.
The notice with the French army compasses used after WW II was much
better.
There is no evidence that the Bézard compass was
ever issued to the German Wehrmacht troops during WWII, but several
European armies adopted it . before and after WWII (see VARIANTS
further down).
The BUK was, for a long time, the instrument recommended by the German
Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV).
In West Germany, the lid
bore the wording BUND
(Federation) in the BUNDESWEHR (German Federal Republican Army) and BGS
in the border surveillance units (BUNDESGRENZSCHUTZ) now renamed the
Federal Police (Bundespolizei).
 |
The graduations of the BGS
compass: 6400 mils.
 |

The Online Compass Museum is seeking an original Bundeswehr compass. We
have asked the Ebay seller to authorise us to use this photo. |
FRANCE (Armée
Française, AF /
French Army)
 |
The AF Bézard
compass was issued with 360
degrees and 6400 mils divisions.
 |
Equipment for the French troops in Indo China and
Algeria (1946-1954 and 1957–1962 conflicts)
COMMENT : It would be interesting to
know if France sourced these compasses from LUFFT under extremely
advantageous commercial conditions after the Second World War (as a
paiment for destructions during the War ?). That would have been the
final blow to the compass industry in France. On the other side, a
comparison of the 1922 model with the Bézard shows that
technologically it was obviously no match. |
The lid and/or the dial on the export versions were
adapted for each destination country:
- Romania: DIRECŢIA
(dial: Original Bézard & 6400 mils)
. |
- Netherlands (old): RICHTING

Foto: Ted Brink -
see LINKS, MILITARY COMPASSES. |
- Netherlands (modern):
inscription
on the west-east strap
 |
Poland: The word ORIGINAL was
written in Polish language: ORYGINALNY
 |
Yugoslavia (Serbocroatian):
 |
Czechoslovakia: Version with several logos:
Picture at left : Czechoslovakia's coat-of-arms (heraldic lion in a
square standing on one corner) between military units' numbers (P.18.7
... 23)
Picture at right: LUFFT's logo above a flat cylindric compass card
 |
Older French version:
BREVET BÉZARD
In some countries where the German company LUFFT didn't export the
instruments, major manufacturers made them using their names and logos
(as licensees?) like Cornelius Knudsen in Denmark or GAMMA in Hungary.
Other items are not absolutely identical and we think that they are
imitations like the Czech
"ŠP" or the
Hungarian MOM/41, the East-German FPM and the Romanian I.O.R.
DENMARK
Manufacturer: Cornelius Knudsen - Kiøbenhavn
(Copenhagen)
Famous Danish marine optician.
Compare with the Dutch item (bottom)
 |
DESCRIPTION - Dimensions:
same as small model I (no
mirror). Graduations: 6400 mils, counterclockwise. Full figures are
written with 4 digits (1000, 2000 etc.). Cardinal points in German. No.
1323. No ruler at the lid's basis. Other markings: a royal crown above
the initials HV (Army Administration in Danish ?). The word RETNING
(direction) is written with the same fonts than on the original German
Bézard compasses.
The manufacturer's name indicated on the case underside encompasses a
coat-of-arms topped by a crown and displaying a pair of drawing
compasses and a drawing square.
The label on the West-East axis reads: FELTK. / M. 1928 (field
compass / Model 1928).
 |
GERMANY
(East, former GDR)
Manufacturer: FPM
(Freiberger
Präzisionsmechanik)
(Read more details in the category Marching compasses)
|
|
FRANCE
Manufacturer: J. Auricoste
(Read more details in the category Marching compasses)
|
|
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Manufacturer: "ŠP"
 |
 |
 |
Technical Data
- Graduation : 360 degrees, clockwise
- Ruler: 50 mm
- Weight: 70 g
The mirror possesses a blade spring mechanism that allows it to be
locked at 45 degrees. |
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
(no maker's name)
Compass equipped with a mirror that could be pivoted over 180 degrees:

(Click
on the picture for viewing a movie showing the mirror's rotation) |
(Click
on the picture for an enlarged view)
 |
The outside of the lid bears declination values for
cities to the East and to the West, from the German border (Cheb /
Eger) to the Ukrainian border (JASINA) passing through Prague (PRAHA)
valid for the year 1938.
The ruler allowed the direct reading of distances on military maps to
1:75 000 - one division measures 1,33 mm equivalent
to 100 metres on the ground.
The lid is also equipped with a metal support undoubtedly for use on
field guns.
Technical Data
- Divisions : 6400 mils
- Diameter: 45 mm
- Weight: 145 g
- Dial
(picture: click on link):
6400 mils., clockwise |
ROMANIA
Manufacturer: I.O.R.
Read in the category Marching Compasses
details concerning this company. |
 |
NETHERLANDS
Manufacturer: unknown
The case ist almost identical with the Danish version above.
LUFFT probably exported unsigned instruments.
|

Picture
by courtesy of Snyder's Treasures |
HUNGARY
(IRÁNY = DIRECTION)
The older version that we know of was built by GAMMA. It was identical
with the small Bézard without mirror. A larger military
version (at right) was
apparently built later called MOM
(click on the links to
read the full entry) also called Plant No.
41 for reasons of secrecy.
|
Pictures (left and
center): MOM / 41 - (right): GAMMA

|