COMPASSIPEDIA
The OnlineCompass Museum
  (Click on small pictures for enlarged views) |
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Technical
data - Diameter (lid): 54mm - Depth: 35mm - Weight (empty): 180gr - Divisions: 6400 mils, counter-clockwise - Paint: grey, rests of green paint Manufacturer: some items are signed AINSWORTH.  Official user instruction available (go to our SHOP) |
  Above: The crystal was secured by means of a wire feather. The chapter ring was flat and could be rotated by hand by means of two tabs located at 90 (E) and 270 (W) deg. . Below:View of the card's divisions through the side window. At each end of the vertical black line is a small arrowhead of radium paint. 
 The case side opposite to the window had a white line below the sighting notch |
Original
model - 1942, S/No. 6529  There were additional radium paint markings on the bezel inner rim (at 360 degrees) and on the black lubber line engraved on the plexiglass disk, between the two notches of the casing's rim. |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 60 mm - Depth: 1 in./25 mm - Weight: 100 gr - Card release: by depressing a spring-loaded pin at the bottom - Divisions: 360 deg (card and scale) - Sighting: over two notches in the rim - North mark on card: diamond-shaped radium paint marking - Markings on bottom: British Army's arrow symbol (crow foot) engraved above an upper case 'I' (for India?), Abbr. "R.P.A." (Royal Pakistan Army?) - Material: brass, black paint Detail view of the compass card  |
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On
the Mk II model, the securing wire was replaced by a tight-fit ring and
the lugs on the chapter ring were replaced by two bulges.
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Mark
II
Model, 1944 The original card existed also with four holes through which the white and selfluminescent case inner paint could be seen (see last row):  (Picture by courtesy of Chris Stedman) |
Technical
Data - Dim. & weight: see above - Markings: British Army's arrow symbol ("crow foot") engraved above an upper case 'I' (for India?), Abbr. "M.I.O." (?) - Casing date: 1944 - Material: brass, traces of black paint  |
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On
the compasses upgraded a second time, the card is now flat and the
useless side window is blinded by a plate attached with four screws.
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 On the latest version, a flat chapter ring was placed upon the original one. Since it couldn't rotate, this compass couldn't be used to set a marching course or to measure a bearing.  |
Model
ME 502 - Mk II Technical Data - Dim. & weight: see above - Divisions: 360° and 6400 mils on a flat card, 360° on the (concealed) old ring and the upper new ring - The design date (1944) has no significance on these modernised versions. View inside the casing: the needle brake release is actuated by means of a push-button (visible on the right of the picture at left), a hinged lever and a blade spring.  |
The
manufacturer's logo on the casing's base: |
The embossed arrow on
the lid |
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Technical
Data - Graduation: 360 degrees, clockwise - Ruler: 50mm - Weight: 70gr - The mirror can be held at an angle of 45 deg. by means of a blade spring mechanism. |
 Hiking compass probably made in the 1950's |
 Click on images for enlarged views |
Technical Data - Dimensions: 80 x 52 x 20mm - Divisions: 360 deg., clockwise - Cardinals: read Miscellaneous / Cardinal points / Czech - Side ruler: 70mm - Weight: 75gr - Dial and needle: Bézard-type - Materials: Casing made of bakelite, lid and mirror made of steel - Markings: MEOPTA (logo) Made in Czechoslovakia |
 (Click to enlarge) |
View
Dismantled. The
capsule can be refilled via an
opening on the side. Its bottom is shaped like a barometer's to
compensate for pressure and temperature variations.
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Technical
Data - Dimensions: 60 x 52 x 17mm - Weight: 135gr - Divisions: 360 deg. no radium - Mirror: metallic, two short lines of luminous paint. - Markings: on reverse: (S/N) 94 and MERIDIAN - With leather case - Adaption to various declination values by rotating the glass window with red lines. |
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 Model MK-2002 The abbrev. MK probably stands for the German word Marschkompass. Early models feature a disk made by PASTO. (Pictures Jaypee - Priv. coll. - click to enlarge) |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 50 mm - Height : 20 mm - Weight: 120 gr - Capsule: soft plastic - Divisions: 400 grades (was also available with 360 deg. graduation - Colour: black or military green painted case Note: this prismatic instrument is a very simple imitation of the famous british Mk III compasses. Its design is almost identical with the light-weight PASTO model 206 S (see below) but has a metallic case and no marching course arrow. It is not clear which was made first. |
Model
no.  Compare with the model below signed MILLER INNSBRUCK |
 On some compasses, the company's address is indicated as being PERY in Switzerland. (Pictures Jaypee - Priv. coll. - click to enlarge) |
Technical
Data - Dimensions: .. x .. x .. mm - Weight: .. gr - Capsule: soft plastic - Divisions: 400 grades - With leather case like survey compass MK-2001  |
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Technical
Data - Dim.: 65 x 65 x 25 mm - Graduation: 360° clockwise - Weight: 88 g - Clinometer: +/- 90°, bubble level The cover/mirror can be secured by a screw and activates the transit lock. - Ruler: none - Marking (rear face): MILLER INNSBRUCK  |
 Pictures courtesy David / Nautical Antiques |
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Technical
Data - Card material: aluminum - Dimensions: standard Verner's Pattern Mk VIII - Further markings: • On the base: broad arrow above the upper-case 'I' for India between the letters I (or the fig. 1?) and G. • On the leather pouch (link to pic.): Broad arrow above an upper-case bold T |
The
compass type
called Modèle 1922 was utilized
within the French Army and Gendarmerie (road police) from its start
shortly after WW I as a successor for the boussole
directrice utilized by
the infantrymen. It
appeared rather
late (late 1920's?) in the instructions manuals for
infantrymen (Manuel du gradé d'infanterie - see picture at
right - click to enlarge). Its typical U
shape reminds strongly of the BÉZARD
compass
(click on the link to open the
special chapter dedicated to
this system) by which it was
replaced after WWII but it
lacked its main features.
| The
Modèle 1922 compass as described in an instruction document
issued by the Institut Géographique National (IGN, 1943). Its dial features a fixed black marching arrow like on the WWI pocket compasses made by MORIN and LUFFT (see these categories).  Technical Data - Material: aluminum - Dimensions: 750 x 60 x 17 mm - Weight: 100 gr - External markings: . On the hinge: Mle 1922 + manufacturer's name + S/No. . On the lid: MG (Ministère de la Guerre = War Department) - Ruler: 60 mm w/o figures Other manufacturers: CRC, DLM, SECRETAN, Sté des Lunetiers (S-L) etc. - Divisions: degrees, grades or MILS. Note: on the oldest version in deg., the declination was indicated by the letters NM (nord magnétique). Picture: Note Technique sur les BOUSSOLES (1931) |
Early
version
(DEMARIA-LAPIERRE) Graduation: 6400 mils Radium paint arrow in the lid   |
Official
later
version (LEMAIRE) Graduation: 400 grades (gons)  Below, for comparison, an early Bézard compass (1910):  |
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Model
751*
(1933-39)
- Bakelite case with a mirror cemented in the lid and a table made of German silver - Designer: Charles Collignon - Manufacturer: Houlliot - Transparent capsule base plate made of Rhodoid - Radium markings (Société Française d'Energie et de Radiochimie, 51-53 rue d'Alsace, Courbevoie). The 1st bakelite case (supplied by Baldon located in Bezons) was presented for acceptation on Dec. 12, 1933. Later, in the Kralastic casings made after 1945, the mirror had to be fixed by 2 screws.   |
Model
850* (1950s-60s)
Version with aluminum table made of oxydised aluminum. The case was made of a special plastic called Kralastic treated against static loading. - Manufacturer: Collignon-Houlliot  This item also existed in a military version (6400 MILS). * The model no. appear in internal documents (price list) |
These
compasses
had depending on the client's choice a 400 grades, 360 deg. or
a 6400 MILS division but were all delivered with
a conversion table stowed in a slot
between the capsule
and the transparent case body. See on pic. below the scales D
(degrees), G (grades) and M (Mils) plus a 50 mm ruler.  One model featured a measuring device made of two scales (degrees and percentage) for positive and a negative angle values. Prodedure: holding the compass fully open by the lanyard, read the angle value of a target (viewed in the sighting notch) on the opposite side of the scales printed on the lid. Compare to the Büchi and Teleoptik systems.  The compass capsule alone was also sold as a pocket compass (see LUFFT no. 1950). |
PROFILE - MOM (Magyar Optikai
Művek,
Hungarian Optical Works) was a Hungarian company founded in 1876
by Süss
Nándor (1848-1921)
in the
University of Kolozsvár, 8 Mozsár
street, and first
named Süss
Precíziós Mechanikai
Intézet
(Süss Precision Mechanics Institute). The company moved in
1900 to
9 Alkotás street and its name was changed to
MOM in
1939. MOM closed down in 1995. The
first model with its
Bézard-type
dry-needle version (built 1930) Signature and logo of Süss Nándor R. T. Budapest:  Pictures above courtesy A. Havasi Click on images for enlarged views |
The
fluid-dampened version with a
red and white needle The North marking (É) is facing the figure 3200 mils like on the older Bézard compasses (late 1920's / early 1930's). This is also the case on items signed "41". |
The
old Hungarian coat of arms on
the leather pouch Click on the picture for an enlarged view  MOM's logo:  |
Technical
Data MOM 1939 - Dimensions: 80 x 70 x 20 mm - Divisions: 6400 mils, counter clockwise, zero facing south - Diameter: 55mm - Weight: 285gr - Ruler: 50mm - Mirror shape: oval (Bézard-type) - Inscriptions on the crystal: 39 M. TÁJOLÓ (compass) - Inscription on the lid: IRÁNY (direction) - Materials: . casing: bakelite, greenish . lid: brass . attachment loop: nickel (round) - Inscriptions on casing reverse: . MOM . Serial No.: 8372 |
Lid -
IRÁNY means
DIRECTION in Hungarian language. The item was to be used with a ruler like the Bézard UBK and had a round mirror covering the entire crystal and painted green (click HERE for picture). |
Dial
with the typical 6000 mils
divisions used in the Warsaw Pact (built after 1949) |
Compared
shapes of the attachment
loops (at left: the older model, at right: the post 1949 model)  |
Technical
Data Dimensions: see above - Divisions: 6000 mils, clockwise, North facing zero - Weight: 150 gr - Materials: . casing: bakelite, brownish-red . lid: aluminium . attachment loop: aluminum (partly egg-shaped) - Inscriptions on casing base: . 41 (plant code) . Serial no.: 954557 - No more luminous paper arrow inside the lid |
 (Click on the pictures for enlarged view) |
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Technical
Data - Diameter: 54mm - Depth: 21mm - Weight: 150gr - Card material: synthetics, transparent - Case inside coating: radium paint - Date: 1915 |
MORIN
sold in the 60's a
civilian version of the Modèle
1922 made first of bakelite then
of plastic (see
details above) manufactured by COLLIGNON.
Morin had this picture printed in the greatest French Encyclopedia
Larousse (ed. 1968)! |
The MORIN compass also called boussole directrice (1930's, picture at right) is being described together with the pocket compasses because of its form and similarities with other products (see LUFFT, BUSCH etc.) although it is a marching compass as far as its function is concerned. |  |
Patent
no.
234145 (1944) |
Patent
no.
376280 (1959) |
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 In the lid, where the brand name NIFE and the word Patent appear, is only a line of luminous paint but no mirror (compare with SILVA's and LYTH's versions). (Click on the images for enlarged views) |
 Above left: Provisional version with three windows marked Patent Sökt (Pat. pending) Right: final version (193) |
Technical
Data - Materials: bakelite, steel - Needle dampening: by fluid - Divisions: 6300 mils, clockwise. The North's red mark is exactly located on the figure 63. Cardinal points for W and E in Swedish: V-Ö. - Dimensions: 70 x 68 x 20mm - Weight: 210gr - Serial no.: 44 |
 Holland's version of the famous Mk III model (s. F. Barker & Son) Pictures courtesy G. Ralph |
 (Click on the images for enlarged views) |
Technical
Data Divisions: 360°, cardinals in Dutch language (Z = Zuid = south) S/N: 691 D Marking (on back): NV OBSERVATOR ROTTERDAM |
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 Contrary to LUFFT's Bézard design, the arrow and the word RICHTUNG (direction) are separated. |
Technical
Data - Case material: aluminum - Divisions: 6400 mils, counterclockwise - Dimensions: 70 x 58 x 13mm - Weight: 55g The magnetic declination marker consists of an aliminum tag attached to the frame. The crystal can rotate within the frame to adapt to different declinations. The pictures show the Model no. 5020. The model no. 5021 featured a mirror like the small Bézard IS. (Click on images for enlarged views) |
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The
transit lock
system is unique: a cam rod concealed inside the casing and actuated by
the closing of the lid depresses the lever raising the magnetic needle. Pics at left: Views of the box and the user instructions. (Photocopies available) |
PROFILE
- Former
German Company (for more information click HERE).Simple
marching compass
without mirror lid (mod. no. 1 in PASTO's catalogue) identical to
BUSCH's model created
in the 1930's.  |
Same
casing but with KÜHRT's index ring. |
Technical
Data - Dimensions: 70 x 60 x 18mm - Weight: 40gr - Needle lock: manually actuated lever - Side rulers: 50mm and 2' - Divisions: 64 mils (black index ring) It existed also with a white index ring and two divisions (see also below, image on box), probably added after KÜHRT was taken over by PASTO. The maker's signature (PASTO Germany) and the fact that it has two different rulers (decimal and imperial) indicate clearly that this is a post WW II product. Moreover, the position of the magnetic declination luminous marker (5° W) is consistent with the 1950's. |
Same
shape and functions than Kührt's models but
smaller |
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Technical
Data - Dimensions: 85 x 65 x 18mm - Weight: 75gr A special version with fluid capsule offered as possibility to take into account the local declination:  |
| Model
no. 5, but
made of plastic with mirror, lumiscent paint and thumb ring. It was
available in black or cream colour. The same lid/cover form appears
also on the later C. Stockert compass models. Theses models were called no. 11 and 12 with fluid damping.   Pict. left: no. 5 cream case, dry capsule, at right: no. 12 Fluid, probably in cooperation with WILKIE (Click on the pictures for enlarged views) |
  No.
5s (S = Schnur
=
lanyard) with KÜHRTs typical index ring (divisions: deg. and
mils.)
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User
instruction Technical Data - Dimensions : 70 x 60 x 20 mm - Weight: 55 gr Photos no. 12 Fluid and 5s courtesy Sancho Urbina |
| PRISMATIC Fluid Compass
206 S Fluid - Light-weight imitation of the famous British marching compasses (see BARKER). PASTO supplied the compass cards to MERIDIAN for the early version of its model MK-2002.  |
It
was a common feature of the leather cases to have a tab with a button
hole to attach the compass at one of the uniform buttons.
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 Technical Data - Case diameter: 48 mm - Depth: 17 mm - Weight: 70 gr - The marching direction arrow could be set through the crystal by means of a small knob like on LUFFT's and BUSCH's pocket compasses. |
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Technical
Data - Dim. : mm - Leather pouch with button hole tab like the one fisplayed above but with black finish. Export version (USA): box-shaped casing. Compare with WILKIE's version with hinged hanging mirror. User instr. in English available. |
Model
c. 1910 ?  (Click on image for detailed view of dial) |
 View closed: the company's name is engraved on the upper hinge fitting (see pic. at right) GOERZ built a compass with a comparable design |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 55mm - Depth: 17mm - Weight: 100gr - Divisions: 2 x 3200 mils  |
WWI
mirror compass |
 The arrow-shaped lubber's line on the crystal was only a short thick line on the C. & E. version. The Argentina Army's version featured cardinals in Spanish language |
 The mirror was a polished disk made of steel. The sighting hole was arrowhead-shaped but the A. & F. version featured a round hole. |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 54mm - Depth: 18mm - Weight: 150gr  (Pic. above courtesy K. Takacs) |
Square protractor - c.
1935 ?  (Click for enlarged view) |
The
item with user instructions and pouch |
Technical
data - Side length: 4 in / 100 mm - Compass thickness: 7 mm - Divisions: 6400 mils counter- clockwise, cardinals only on compass - String for measuring angles on maps - For maps with scale 1/100,000. Fotocopies of instr. available |
 Click on the image for an enlarged view |
Technical
Data - Dimensions: 75 x 55 x 20 mm - Divisions: 6000 mils, clockwise, cardinal points in Polish language (see Miscell./Card. pts.) - The central white bar is located on the N-S axis whereas it was located on the E-W axis on the WWII German compasses (see also FPM). - Illumination: Radium compound (link to pic., similar to AK model) |
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Technical
Data - Dimensions: 148 x 50 x 15mm - Weight: 135gr |
| ARMEE-MARSCH-VISIER-KOMPASS (Military Field and Sighting Compass)   NOTE: the words "Armee-Marsch etc." (or their translation) are not engraved on the export version. |
  User instr. in French (short version: 1 p.) (Photocopies of all documents can be ordered) |
Technical
Data - Casing Material: aluminum (German version) or steel (French version) - Dimensions: 148 x 50 x 15 mm - Weight: 135 g (alum.) / 250 gr (steel) - Height (mirrors erected): 75 mm - Ruler (on the right-hand side): 120 mm - A luminous dot on the ring allowed for fixing a bearing. Cardinal points in German. Red lubber line on a glass plate over the compass rose. Both mirrors can be blocked by a notch at respectively 90° and 45°. User instr. in German (4 p., distinct versions for Germany and Switzerland)  |
 Matchbox-style compass model DP2 This is one of the very first DP models. It was built in 1942 within one year after production started (serial number 01377)   |
 DP2 model used in the federal Austrian Army At right under the heraldic eagle of Austria's coat-of-arms: BH 20. BH is the abbreviation for BUNDESHEER (federal army), not to be mistaken for the German BUNDESWEHR, which means federal defense forces  (Click on the picture for an enlarged view) |
Technical
Data - Divisions: 6400 Mils - Material: aluminium case - Dimensions: 65 x 46 x 19 mm - Weight: 100 gr S/N - Years of production: No. 00001 - 07221 = 1942; No. 07222 - 17383 = 1943; No. 17384 - 38241 = 1944 This basic model was followed by the model DP5 used by the Swiss army until 1980. It was followed by the model DP6 which is still in use to day.  Fig. as shown in the patent (US issue, 1954) filed by the inventor Eric VAUCHER. |
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MODEL
DESIGNATION: DS 56 Technical Data - Dimensions: 100 x 65 x 18 mm |
  (Click on the pictures for enlarged views) |
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Model Name: THE REFLECTOR
COMPASS Design/Manufacturer: C.F.R. (see next row) Retailer's signature on the casing's underside: G. C. BATEMAN Opticians, Reading and Branches Technical Data - Dimensions: (dia. x height): 50 x 20mm - Material: casing: brass, mirror, silver - The mirror rotates with the bezel - Divisions: 360°, radium paint North arrow - Divisions on casing: degrees and cardinals The small mirror is described in S. Lawrence's patent no. 24,792 (compare with Cruchon & Emons and also PLAN Ltd). |
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Technical
Data - Dim.: 48 x 26 mm - Card design: Service pattern, Radium paint. - Additional rear sight and divisions ring on top of the case rim, rotating ring with luminous marker. - On the mirror's rear face: the patent no. 11787/15 filed by RYLAND Charles Frederick, 109, Saint Michaels Road, Aldershot, Jeweller's Salesman, (6 pages, photocopy available). - Manufacturer unknown (maybe F. Barker & S.). Sold by JUNIOR, ARMY AND NAVY STORES Ltd. a company formed in 1871 and established 1879 (read the compl. history in Wikipedia) |
Red Army's Model AK Click on the images for enlarged views |
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Civilian Model |
Technical
Data - Dimensions: 75 x 55 x 20 mm - Divisions: 6000 mils or 360 deg., clockwise, cardinal points in Russian language (see Miscell./Card. pts.) - The central white bar is located on the N-S axis whereas it is located on the E-W axis on the WWII German compasses (see also FPM). - Transit lock: automatic when closing the lid - Illumination: Radium compound (link to pic., military version only) |
