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
patter Mk VII with manual transit lock. Compare with the French Ltd (F-L) compass Verner's pattern Mk VIII with automatic transit lock. |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 54 mm - Depth: 21 mm - Weight: 150 gr - Card material: aluminum - Date: 1915 |
 Model 1933 Compare with the NIFE marching compass Technical Data - Dim.: 70 x 68 x 20mm - Weight: 215 gr - Divisions: 6400 mils, counter clockwise - Serial No.: 2094 |
 Model 1939 Technical Data - Dim.: 100 x 64 x 20mm - Weight: 130 gr - Divisions: 6400 mils, clockwise plus 360 deg. dial on ground plate rear face - Parallel lines on bezel (...?) - Serial no.: 20089 - Marking under the capsule: 8/53 (manufacturing month/year?) |
Model 1939 cont'd - Reverse side and divisions:  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 (rearside): 400 grades - Made: probably in the 1930's 
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 Model 4-54 issued to the British Army 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 |
 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  (Click on the picture for a view of the practising compass and the map) |
 (Click on pictures for enlarged views) |
 
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Model
G-150 Technical data - Dimensions: 88 x 60 x 35 mm - Weight: 325 g - Card: Mother-of-pearl - Divisions: MILS - Paint: black Markings on reverse: PAT. APPd FOR - Serial no.: 548 |
 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 G-150, 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 G-150.
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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. |
(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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 Pouch with shoulder strap Instrument donated by Arbert ZUUR (www.heaterso.com) |
 Mark III View of the dial: 360 deg divisions only (Click to enlarge) |
Technical data - Dimensions (diam. x height): 55 x 25 mm - Weight: 300 gr - Card: Mother of pearl Markings on reverse:  |
 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 (Picture below: Dennis Honor)  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  |
 The swivelling holding lever of the "KOMMIT" compass. 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) |
Rear side of the "Marsch-Kompass" |
Rear side of the "Touristen-Kompass" |
User's manual for the three
compasses (Pfadfinder-, Marsch- and Touristen-Kompass) |
| Model
"Marsch-Kompass Jugend" (Youth Marching compass) Early difinition (white scale, divisions counterclockwise) 
 There were four different models (see prices above), incl. one with radium paint markings (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 g |
Model KOMMIT
(join in!), old Version  This lid shape is identical with a PASTO compass |
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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, red, cardinal points: red. |
 KOMMIT and PFADFINDER models in a modern fluid damped version |
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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 |
 (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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Marching compass
Model M.49 The function of the left scale in the lid (Mesni ugao) is not entirely obvious. It is most probably a measuring device in mils. |
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Technical
Data - Diameter: 60 mm - Depth: 20 mm - Weight: 100 g  |
Marching compass
Model M-53  |
 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. 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 = 1 m at 1 km distance). The total length (150 units could thus represent an angle of 150 mils. The crown is graduated in mils (6400) and the measured angle can be read at the underside in degrees. |
Technical
Data - Dimensions: 70 x 63 x 16 mm - Weight: 130 g - Markings: M53 / S71 Interesting compass built according to some principles of Lufft’s Bezard. 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) |
 The letter 'B' in the serial number means that this compass was in fact produced by F. BARKER. (Click on the pictures for enlarged views) |
Model Mark III  Technical Data - Dimensions: 97 x 59 x 30 mm - Weight: 275 gr - Compass card: mother-of-pearl - Divisions: 360 deg., clockwise |
 Contemporary reproduction (made in India?) of the famous marching compass Mk III. The year number punched (1941) doesn't mean anything. The British Army's crowfoot-shaped arrow has not the official form. Even if one considers, that the maker has wanted to represent two arrows punched opposite to each other as it was the rule when materiel was decommissioned. But then, the arrows would not face each other but would build a star. The initial letters T and G are written without point, etc. |
| 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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 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 lenth 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. |