COMPASSIPEDIA
The Online
Compass Museum
The Online
Compass Museum
  (Click on pictures for enlarged views) Pictures Lisa Chappa |
 Figures
1-0: In the patent, these signs are described as being meant
for aircraft (segni per
le segnalasioni agli aerei), i.e. to write them on the
ground with stones so that the pilots can read them from the air.
Some symbols are identical with roman figures (ex.: 4 = IV, 5
= V).Markings: Brevettato (patented in Italian) and no. 365749 & 383624 (Copies can be ordered) |
 Rear face: Morse alphabet, special version with accented letters plus `N and CH. Technical Data - Dimensions: 106 x 50 mm - Divisions: 6400 MILS, counterclockwise, cardinal points in English - Rifle-type sight: double, tilts to and fro - Transit lock: actuated by a lever when closing the lid - Red and black push-button: function unknown. |
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 Radium paint marking of magnetic North |
 Technical Data - See Modèle 1922 - Divisions: 400 grades - S/N: 1644 |
 (Picture G. Perry) |
Marching
compass Verner's
pattern Mk VII with manual transit lock. Compare with the French Ltd (F-L) compass Verner's pattern Mk VIII with automatic transit lock. A facsimile of the original User Instructions can be ordered. (Click HERE to see a photograph of page one). |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 54 mm - Depth: 21 mm - Weight: 150 gr - Card material: aluminum - Date: 1915 |
 Concerning the black star-shaped line in the lid, see Major LEGH's compass. |
THE MAGNAPOLE This version is the very first draft and a provisional design (Patent applied for) In the center: SHORT & MASON Ltd MAKERS, LONDON. |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 50 mm - Depth: 20 mm - Weight: 140 gr - Pouch: Leather - Divisions on compass card and inside the lid (marching course setting) : 360 deg., clockwise  The patents' figures (click for detailed view) 
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 Model 1933 Compare with the NIFE marching compass Technical Data - Dim.: 70 x 68 x 20mm - Weight: 215 gr - Divisions: 6400 mils, counter clockwise, cardinals in Danish or Norwegian language (V-O) - Serial No.: 2094 |
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 Model 1939 Technical Data - Dim.: 100 x 64 x 20mm - Weight: 130 gr - Divisions: 6300 mils, clockwise plus 360 deg. - Parallel lines on bezel (...?) - Serial no.: 20089 |
Model 1939 cont'd - Reverse side and detail
view of divisions
(North mark at 63 Mils):
 - Marking under the capsule: 8/53 (manufacturing month/year?) - dial on ground plate rear face, - cardinals in Swedish language (V-Ö) |
Model
"Typ 6 -
400" - Technical Data Very simple compass for orienteering. Original company name "A.B. BRÖDERNA KJELLSTRÖM" (Kjellström Bros., Inc.) - Dimensions: rulers: 90 mm and 35 mm, compass dia. 50 mm - Remnants of back paint on body - Division (rear side): 400 grades - Made: probably in the 1930's 
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 Model 4-54 (British troops) Technical Data - Self luminescent markings (Tritium paint) - Dimensions: 124 x 60 x 10mm - Divisions: 6400 mils, clockwise - NATO Stock Number (NSN): W 10/6605-99-529-3731 - Three Romer scales, one for the British military maps (1:63360),1 inch = 1 mile. |
 Picture above, right:
Model Pathfinder of the US Girls Scouts (GS, see also Scoutism)The US Girl Scouts' logo Technical Data - Dimensions: 76 x 50 x 14mm - Divisions: 360 deg. clockwise |
SILVA founder Björn
Kjellström's book Be
an Expert with Map and Compass (1955) containing a
practising compass* and a map of Lake George's surroundings in the
Adirondack park (NY) with the camp on the shore. * see also LENSATIC and map & compass  (Click on the picture for a view of the practising compass and the map) |
 (Click on the pictures for enlarged views) |
 (Picture courtesy N. Godridge) |
Technical Data - Dimensions (dia.): 3" / 75 mm - Weight: 450 gr - Card: with transparent rim (Barker's patent) - Divisions: 360° - Markings on reverse: see pic. at left. Compare with F. BARKER's models. |
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 The dial (Click on the pictures for enlarged views) |
 Technical
Data- Dimensions (dia. x height): 60 x 34 mm - Weight: 200 gr - Card: mother of pearl - Divisions: 60oo mills (Finland used the soviet system) - Illumination: tritium pads (under the prism and in sighting direction in the chapter ring) - Case: polycarbonate - Manufacturer's signature under the prism (pic. top right) - Pouch: synthetic leather, military green-grey (Click on link for picture) |
The manufacturer's logo:
the letters ŠP
embossed on the lid  |
The marching direction
arrows:
 Click on image above right for enlarged view of dial |
Technical Data - Graduation : 360 degrees, clockwise - Ruler: 50 mm - Weight: 70 g - The mirror is held at a 45 degrees angle by means of a a blade spring mechanism. - The luminous arrow on both sides of the lid is only a decal. |
 Model G150 (Click on pictures for enlarged views) |
 
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Model G150 Technical Data - Dimensions: (Length clsd) 88 x 58 (dia.) x 35 (height) mm - Weight: < 250 g - Card: Mother-of-pearl - Divisions: 6400 MILS - Tritium cells - Markings on reverse: S/N, mfr, NSN. (more details HERE) Compare with F. BARKER's models. |
 Picture www.trademarkondon.com - (Click on picture for enlarged views) |
This compass type was
manufactured
for only one month in 1978 then discontinued. It’s
roughly
the same size as the G150, just weighs less, and has a
different
design. They were unpopular because it was hard to see well
through the prism. Stanley stopped making them very quickly
and continued with the G150.
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Model
L1A1 Technical Data - Dimensions: . Max. length (excluding thumb ring): 88mm . Max width: 62mm . Max height: 38mm - Weight: approx. 200g - Material: brass case, aluminum clamp ring, mother of pearl dial, plastic pivot support inside brass bowl. - Calibration: 6400 MILS - NSN: 6605-99-531-2510 |
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Technical Data - Compass diameter: 35 mm - Case dimensions: 80 x 80 x 21 mm - Weight: 95 g - Ruler: 70 mm - Divisions: 6400 mils, counterclockwise in the compass and on the course setting platte. - Marking on cover: "v. Stein" |
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Verner Compass Mk
III Pictures courtesy Bob Thacker Click on images for enlarged views |
Technical data - Dimensions: - Manufactured 1897  |
(Click on pictures for enlarged views) |
 
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Technical data - Dimensions . diameter: 2 3/32" (53 mm) . height: 7/8" (23 mm) - Weight: 150 gr - Serial no.: 11 - Compass card: aluminum and mica - Markings on reverse: A.H.S. - Pouch with belt loop 
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(Picture courtesy Nick Godridge) See also Taylor's pocket compass Ceebynite Technical data - MK III: see T.G. Co Ltd below - Service pattern: see Yeates below |
 Prismatic Service Pattern (1910s) (Click on the image for an enlarged view of the dial - Pic. N. Godridge) |
 Mark III prismatic liquid dampened with Pouch (1950) Instrument donated by Arbert ZUUR (www.heaterso.com) |
 Model "Pfadfinder" (boy scout)  |
 Rear side of the Pfadfinder compass. It was slightly different from BUSCH's "Jungendienst-Kompass": it featured a thumb loop which opened the lid when rotated upwards (patent no. 476998).  . |
 C. Stockert's logo was the initial letter (S) in a long hexagone. Technical Data - Case: bakelite - Lid: brass - Ring: nickel - Dimensions: 60 x 55 x 18 mm - Weight: 72 g |
Two versions of
the Marsch-Kompass
are known: the early one with white face (see next row) and
the later one with black face. The Marschkompass was the official compass of the youth organisations (Hitler-Jugend etc.) Click HERE for a picture of a "Pimpf" (military Pathfinder) taking a bearing with a MKo. Below: Model "Touristen-Kompass" (see former definition of Tourist in MISCELLANEOUS/Terminology)  Later model with enamelled zinc cover plate and black dial. |
Front
view of the Marsch-Kompass Below: View of the Marschkompass first version (see next row)  |
 The swivelling holding lever which equipped all compasses. Patent (1938) - click on picture for pdf view.  Technical Data - Dimensions: 60 x 55 x 20 mm - Case: Bakelite - Cover plate: aluminum or zinc, enamelled - Weight: 60 g (Marsch-Kompass) and 78 g (Touristen-Kompass) |
The early
version
of the
"Marschkompass" featured a red needle and a brass bezel (later
replaced by plastic).
The mirror had no sighting slot and the case no swivel lever. |
Detail
view of the scale and the needle 
(Click on images for enlarged views) |
The
Magnetic North
reference was a tiny pin attached to the side wall
on the
early version but a protruding sharp edge of the scale on the later one. 
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Upper side of the "Marsch-Kompass" |
Upper
side of the
"Touristen-Kompass" |
User
instruction for the
three models (Pfadfinder-, Marsch- and Touristen- Kompass) |
| Model
"Marschkompass Jugend" (Youth Marching compass) Early definition (white scale, divisions counterclockwise) 
 There were four different models (see prices above): with or w/o mirror, with normal or radium paint markings (pic. below r.).   |
 Late definition (black scale, divisions clockwise). Simple model without mirror. The magnetic needle can be locked by means of a small brown bakelite lever.  |
 Box of the Jugend-Kompass: The text said on the old one (click to see it) that marching was more pleasant with a compass. After WWII, this word was replaced by hiking (Wandern). Technical Data - Dimensions: 50 x 50 x 13 mm - Case: Bakelite - Cover plate: Aluminum - Weight: 24 gr |
This model w/o
name could be the last model
built before
the end of WWII. |
The
case's
shape, the surface consisting of tiny diamond-shaped losanges,
the shape of the recess and the arrow in the
lid are unique. |
Technical data Dry compass with holding lever - Dimensions: ... x ... x ... mm - Divisions: 6400 mils, counter-clockwise - Material: Bakelite - Markings: only the maker's S initial letter and the abbr. DRP, both on the underside - Colour: black, incl. the holding lever - Price: 24 (probably Reichsmark) |
| Post WWII
version of the KOMMIT
model (= komm' mit = "join in!")   This lid shape is identical to a similar instrument made by PASTO |
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Technical
Data Dry compass with holding lever - Dimensions: 80 x 58 x 18 mm - Case: Bakelite - Lid: metallic, black paint - Weight: 65 g - Rulers: 60 mm and 2 in. - Divisions: 360 deg. clockwise in black, 6400 mils, counterclockwise, - Cardinal points: red. |
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Technical
Data Modern fluid version of the boy scout compass. Automatic opening of the lid by turning the loop, holding lever - Dimensions : 80 x 58 x 18 mm - Case: Bakelite - Mirror: metallic - Weight: 65 g - Rulers: 60 mm and 2 inches - Graduations : 6400 mils clockwise - Probably early 1970's |
 (click on link to view a picture sent by a visitor) |
The
abbreviations D.R.P. and
D.B.G.M. on the obverse (see MISCELLANEOUS/Abbr.), indicate a
probable production date in the late 50's or early 60's. |
Technical
Data - Dimensions: 70 x 60 x 22 mm - Casing: Plastic - Mirror: Metallic, enamel rear side - Weight: 77 g - Rulers: 50 mm and 2 in. - Divisions: 6400 mils, clockwise  |
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  Rear face with logo (detailed view at r.) and price (bottom) |
 (Click for enlarged view) |
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Technical
Data - Dimensions : 72 x 55 x 20 mm - Weight: 80 g - Divisions: 360° - Compare with the item built by GURLEY 
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Model M.49 Distance measuring by means of the scales in MILS in the lid (Mesni ugao): the distance between eye and compass must be 50 cm (20 in.) for the right-hand scale and 25 cm (10 in.) for the left-hand scale. |
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Technical
Data - Diameter: 60 mm - Depth: 20 mm - Weight: 100 g - Divisions: 6400 Mils Dial (see Miscellaneous/Cardinals, Serbo-Croatian)  |
Model PO-52 |
 Computing formulae on rear side |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 60 mm - Depth: 20 mm - Divisions: 6400 Mils - Dial: same as above, a luminous arrow on the bezel - No mirror |
Model M-53  The capsule's ring is graduated in mils (6400) and the measured angle can be read at the underside in degrees. |
 Measuring a vertical distance (Click for enlarged view) Drawing: Yugoslavian Army's manual - The sighting slots in the lid are graduated: “S+ 0 to 150” from the case’s base plate to the lid’s top on one side and respectively “S- 0 to 150” on the other side, to be read when holding the compass upside down. When holding it in 25 cm from the eye (a knot in the lanyard gives this distance), the observer can measure the distance between him and an object (whose size is known or estimated) and respectively, the distance between two points (if the distance to one of them is known) by means of the slots’ graduation and the artillery mils’ rule (1 unit = 1m at 1km distance). The total length (150 units could thus represent an angle of 1500 mils. |
Technical
Data - Dimensions: 70 x 63 x 16 mm - Weight: 130 g - Divisions: 6400 Mils - Markings: M53 / S71 Interesting compass built according to some principles of the Bézard. Both sides of the base plate show divisions in millimeters but no graduation. The lid has a short slot, in-line with the mirror’s sightline, and two luminous dots. The lanyard attachment ring also has a slot corresponding to the sightline and a luminous dot at its rear side, only visible in the mirror. The mirror’s sight line upper end is terminated by a triangular luminous arrow.  (Click on the picture to view the military manual's front page - photocopies can be ordered) |
 Technical Data - Dimensions: 97 x 58 x 30 mm - Weight: 285 gr - Compass card: mother-of-pearl - Divisions: 360 deg., clockwise Note the dark orange colour of the (no longer luminous) radium- compound paint of the markings. (Click on the images for enlarged views) |
Model
Mark III 
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 Reproduction currently made in India. (read detailed entry HERE). |
| Model
MARK 1*
(1944) (* not to be mistaken with Barker's Mk1)  |
COMPASS
MAGNETIC
MARCHING
Two different versions were produced: the quite rare and probably early one bore the full name "The Gramaphone Company" (no. B6844). The more common and later one only bore the abbreviated name. 
 (Pic. at left courtesy Dennis Sweet who made it possible to put a name on the abbrev.) |
Technical
Data - Dimensions: 70 x 65 x 25 mm - Weight: 150 gr - Divisions: 360 deg. clockwise - S/N : B17689 The users instructions were printed on a small square of paper the size of the mirror (copy available). Detail view of the dial: 
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 Pictures courtesy Mark Robinson (Click for enlarged views) The devider caliper is stowed in the hollow map reading tool |
 Rear face: ruler folded with stowed devider. For view of list of cities with magn. declination click HERE. |
Technical
Data - Overall dim.: 74x13x5mm; compass dia.: 56mm - The hollow folding ruler is 74mm long with the removable devider stowed (70mm with the devider removed); devider caliper: 47x10x2mm. The ruler is graduated up to 50mm and features map scales from 1:50,000 to 1:400,000 on one side (left column - pic. at left) and the corresponding line representing a certain distance in km (right column). Further scales on the sides: 1:25,000 and 1:40,000.  
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 (Click on images for enlarged views) |
  Box (front and side view) |
Technical
Data - Dimensions: 60 x 48 x 19 mm - Compass dia.: 40 mm - Ruler: 60 mm  Reverse of the user instructions |
 (Click detail view of dial) |
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Technical Data - Dimensions: 78 x 78 x 26 mm - Case: wood - Weight: 120 gr - Divisions: 360 deg. counterclockwise - Date: 1918 - Serial no.: 5474 |
 Marching compass model M 105 F black Technical Data - Dimensions: 78 x 58 x 20 mm - Case: plastic - Weight: 50 gr |
 Box with the typical logo resembling the NATO Star |
 The magnetic needle looks as if made of only one half is in fact a blank part of a black disk. This design was also to be found on a geological / artillery compass without manufacturer name. |
| Marching compass
model M 106 FC (catalogue for 1972)  |
 Sighting using the mirror |
 Technical data - Case: aluminium - Dimensions: 78 x 55 x 20 mm - Weight: 150 gr |
 The later models had a square lid with a NATO star logo Technical data - Case: metallic, black - Weight: 190 g |
 Here are the WILKIE's typical stabilisation winglets and the course setting tab at the underside well visible. |
 Some models had a tainted glass and a double scale |
 Pic. Robert Nicoud (Click for enlarged view) Technical Data - Model TOURING 11 (existed with and w/o mirror) - Dimensions: 105 x 60 mm ; compass diam.: 55 mm - Date: early 1970's - Dial: identical with survey compasses - Bilingual export version (engl./spanish) "Direction of travel / sentido de marcha" |
Technical
Data - Model TOURING 16 - Dimensions: 105 x 60 mm - Date: early 1970's - Instrument with a BILAND-type needle (with letters N and S).  (Detailed view of needle: click on picture) |
 Markings on the mirror: - BUSSOLE SONNBLICK (model name) - SYSTEM WINTERER - PATENT No. 117354  (Click on the pictures for an enlarged view) |
  Patent no. indication on obverse |
Patent, page 1 (Click on picture for German original as pdf)  Click on the link for page 2 and figure. Technical Data - Case: aluminum - Dimensions: 85 x 42 x 15 mm - Weight: 75 gr - Rulers on both sides: divisions in mm but without graduations. - Compass rose graduation: 360 degrees counterclockwise, in 10 deg, steps (thick black markings). The figures corresponding to NE, NW, SE, and SW are indicated as well as North (360) and South (180). The figures for WEST (90) and EAST (270) are located on a bar similar with the Bézard compass design (see the dedicated chapter). - Serial no.: 1589 |
 Drawings: from the book KARTEN und BUSSOLEN-FIBEL im Gelände (How to use a map and a compass) |
Size Comparison: model II (see geological compasses) /
Bezard (small model I) / Winterer-Plexi-Model (Click on the pictures for an enlarged view)... |
 Technical Data - Base plate: plexiglass - Dimensions (approx.): 90 x 70 x 15 mm NOTE: The photographs on the book's cover show an item bearing the words Pat. ang. (applied for) but no number is indicated. |
 Winterer patented a system in 1956 (pat. no. 195662) for a special liquid dampened compass, a further development of his Plexi-Kompass. |
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Technical
Data - Case material: aluminium - Diameter: 69 mm - Depth: 18 mm - Weight: 100 gr - Divisions: 6400 mils, counterclockwise - Paint colour: dark blueish-grey - Ruler: 50 mm (decal) - Correction of declination: +/-15 deg. (decal) - Grid squares: 11 x 11 mm  |
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 The compass card's rim is cup-shaped and points upward for easier reading  |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 50 mm (2 1/4") - Depth: 19 mm - Weight: 135 gr - Materials: steel case, brass ring and fitting - Divisions: 360 degrees clockwise - Card: decal of cardinal points and divisions on aluminium disk - Full length aiming slot in lid with a round hole in its centre and luminous paint on each side - Manual transit lock and momentary breaking lock (finger press dampener, see Verner's pattern Mk VII system). - Bezel: rotating march / bearing glass face with cross-shaped bar and rifle-type sighting aids.  |
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Technical
Data (No info - probably cheap asian production) |
 Technical Data - Material: plastic - Dimensions: 65 x 55 mm - Speeds for infantry, cavalry and artillery units - Scales: 1:100,000 - 1:80,000 - 1:125,000 - 1:75,000 |
 Technical Data - Material: plastic - Dimensions: 65 x 55 mm - Speed indications and scales (see pict. at left) - Equivalence of various length and surface units (German, geographic and Russian miles, versts, hectars etc.) |
 Technical Data - Material: aluminium - Dimensions: 95 x 65 mm - No speed indication but a compass rose with a red course setting arrow - Graduation : 360 degrees (clockwise) and 6400 mils (counterclockwise) - Indication Visierlinie (Line of sight) - A small compass (diameter: 25 mm/1 inch) in which a rose made of aluminium paper is glued. A dot of luminous paint shows the gross direction of magnetic North located by 340 degrees - which would correspond to the early 19th c. in Europe! The needle's North point is also covered with luminous paint. |