- S -
PROFILE: Fernando SCHLACHT (who lived via Farneli, 10 in Milano, Italy)
filed in 1938 and 1940 two patents on the base of which this compass
was built. This compass also resembles
WINTERER's
compass design (SURVEY compasses).


(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.
|
PROFILE - Former French company (for more information, click
HERE).
This company produced together with several others the famous
Modèle 1922
compass.
See also Survey and Artillery compasses.
 |

Radium paint marking of magnetic North |

Technical Data
- See Modèle 1922
- Divisions: 400 grades
- S/N: 1644 |
PROFILE - Former British manufacturer (for more information click
HERE).
See also Pocket compasses

(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 |
PROFILE - Swedish company (for more information click
HERE).
See also the section Wrist and the pin-on compasses.
Picture at right: the different models (1955)
Click on the pictures for
enlarged views.
PROFILE - Former British company (more information
HERE)
This compass type is a G-150 which was produced as per 1999 by SIRS
NAVIGATION Ltd. It is no longer in production.
The Stanley G-150 Marching Compass is very famous. It was an iconic
compass as it was used by British troops during the Falklands Conflict
and the first Gulf War. It has an important place in the history of
British military compasses.
It is very similar to F. BARKER's M-73 model. This exhibit was produced
before the patent was accepted.
PROFILE -
Unfortunately, no data concerning this company are available -
not even its country (Germany, Austria or Switzerland?). Your help is
needed. Any documentation, user's guide or flyer is valuable.
The only known product is this astonishing model: a small aluminium
pocket compass attached to a big bakelite case.
 |
 |
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. |
PROFILE - J. H. Steward Ltd was a British
manufacturer (more information
HERE)
but the following compasses were built by Francis Barker & Son (see also Wrist Compasses).
Table below:
- 1st row:
Special
version of a Verner's pattern Mk VII for missions by night (WWI).
The compass card's central part features a design
that Barker tried to register under the name
Royal Geographical
Society (Sept. 5, 1903). This was rejected twice* and Barker eventually only used the
abbreviation
R.G.S. without further explanation in their catalogs for the design no. 416645 between 1906 and 1926 (other examples: see
BARKER).
The Barker
Patent no. 29677 (Dec. 21st, 1910) indicated on the rear side refers to the transparent
card's
rim (see also
MORDAN). The figures could be read
through the prism in the dark thanks to
a large Radium paint
dot located
exactly under the prism. This variation has a brass bezel instead of
the usual
glass index ring, and has a double-glazed lid window, the inner glass
etched with the ususal vertical sighting line, and the outer glass
bearing a Radium line that can be rotated through 90°.
* Source: www.trademarklondon.com (complete documentation on all Barker compasses on CD-Rom available)
- 2nd row: Standard WWII Mark III version (see Barker)
(Click on pictures for enlarged views)
|

|
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
|

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:
|
PROFILE - German company (for more information click
HERE).
In the 1930's-40's, there were four different models: Marsch- /
Touristen-compass, Pfadfinder, Jugend and Kommit.
The TOURISTEN-KOMPASS differs from the MARSCH-KOMPASS in
one point: the
lid's case and left side is identical to the compass case and features
a second half of the ruler (total 10 cm) on an oblique face. Both
compasses feature on their right hand side a barely visible 60 mm long
ruler with raised divisions and figures.
The compass dial was at that time white as usual (see the BUSCH
JUNGENDIENST COMPASS) with black divisions and cardinal points.
Later, this design changed (white divisions and letters on black
ground) since this is easier to render these markings luminous with
bright paint.

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
|
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
This modern Marschkompass
model in grey plastic existed also with a fluid
damping capsule like the KOMMIT model above, most
probably fruit of a co-operation with WILKIE
(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
|
TYPИCT-2
(TOURIST-2 )
A civilian version (360°) in Russian was also produced
probably under licence in the USSR in the 1950's. It was
called TOURIST-2. The company's name is unknown.
Its logo was
a losange in which the letter
П
(P) was placed inside the the letter
Э
(E). The price (3 roubles) was also indicated in the bakelite
casing. A modern version was produced in 1980 on the occasion of the
Olympic Games in Moscow adorned with the Games' logo.
|
|
|

Rear face with logo (detailed view at r.)
and price (bottom) |
PROFILE - Former US manufacturer (L.I. city, New York) - For
more information click
HERE
(momentarily no data available).
Lensatic
compass model M-1938
(see also
Wrist compasses).
(Click for enlarged view) |

|
Technical
Data
- Dimensions : 72 x 55 x 20 mm
- Weight: 80 g
- Divisions: 360°
- Compare with the item built by GURLEY
|
- T -
PROFILE - Former Yugoslavian Company. Its logo was the letter
T in a triangle (see picture below). For more
information click
HERE.
The People's Army of Yugoslavia first utilised compass models taken
from the German Prisoners of War (PoW). Later on, Teleoptik developed
own models. Their designation indicates the year they have been issued:
1949 for model M.49 and 1953 for model M-53.
Copies of the user's instructions in serbocroatian language can be
ordered (see SHOP):
- M.49: military version
- M-53: military and civilian version
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. |

 |
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) |
This company is
apparently not related to J. M. GLAUSER
and Sons.
We want to apologize for the wrong information previously published on
this page.
Profile - T.G. Co. Ltd was the abbreviation used by The Gramophone
Company. This firm was taken over by EMI long before
WWII (Electrical & Mechanical Industries) who continued to use
“The Gramophone Co.” trademark for various items,
changing it for the War contracts to just T. G. Co. Ltd.
F. Barker & Son
apparently buit these compasses since they all carry the B
prefix to the serial
number. T. G. Co. strangely disappeared as soon as WW2
finished.
(For more information concerning the chronology of the different
Marks
, please go to
Mark
1, 2 etc.)
- U -
- V -
- W -
PROFILE - John WARDALE & Co. London - former british
manufacturer
(momentarily no other information available)

|
 |

Technical Data
- Dimensions: 78 x 78 x 26 mm
- Case: wood
- Weight: 120 gr
- Divisions: 360 deg. counterclockwise
- Date: 1918
- Serial no.: 5474 |
PROFILE - Former German company (for more information click
HERE).
(see also the categories POCKET, WRIST-TOP, NAUTICAL and GEOLOGICAL
COMPASSES)

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)
|
PROFILE - Franz WINTERER was an Austrian officier (for more
information click
HERE).
He developed four different compass models. Two (models I and II) were
for military use (see category Survey and Artillery compasses). A
smaller ones was a plain version for hikers based on the same patent
than models I and II (no. 117354 for Austria, May 1929).
The fourth one (built in the early 50's) was a simple plexiglass plate
with a rotating bevelled crown not unlike the old SILVA system.

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 |
Post WWII plexiglass model
Winterer describes in its probably last book (1953) a fourth model
called
Plexi-Kompass. It was available alone or
fixed onto a plexiglass ground plate.

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. |
- X -
PROFILE - Manufacturer and users are not known yet.
DESCRIPTION
This compass is in our eyes one of the most interesting items displayed
in this category. Although its design is extremely low tech, it
features all essential characteristics of a military marching compass.
A high level of ingeniosity was obviously needed to cope with scarce
industrial resources. Very little metal was employed for its production
and the scales are either directly painted on the glass or made of
decals.
The divisions and the cardinal points are printed on a stripe of paper
while a grid and an arrow with the letter N are painted in red under
the cover glass. The other cardinal points are printed below the
corresponding figures: 48/O (Ost = East), 32/S, 16/W.
The cover glass is relatively lose. It is only secured in the case by
two minute clamps made of bent wire inserted from outside into two
slots. It can easily be rotated by the friction effort of two fingers
to set a desired angle.
A tiny recess bored above the North mark (facing the 64 mils figure)
contains a dot of luminous paint.
The needle is locked when not in use by a lever actuated when closing
the lid.
Sighting is done by observing the target over a rifle-type sighting
device and through a round hole located under a polished metallic
mirror attached in its centre by a rivet in the flat round lid. The
foresight bears a tiny dot of luminous paint.
The actual declination's value can be locked by means of a knurled
screw sliding in a slot on the case' side.
 |

 |
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
 |
- Y -
PROFILE - Former Irish manufacturer (for more information
about him, click
HERE).
As far as the technical caracteristics are concerned this compass
design ressembles the Verner's pattern no. VI (see the Compass
Collector's website) but it predates it since it is not a prismatic
system and the card is not made of mother of pearl but of aluminium.
The loop's hinge axis is a long screw like on the same (old) model
shown between the F. Barker pocket compasses
Search
and
Scouting.
The design is the one of the
Royal Geographical Society
(R.G.S.): the NORTH direction (black diamond) could easily be
distinguished in the dark the South (thin black line).
This special item was offered as having belonged to a British Army
officer who is said to have served in the 6th
Inniskilling
Dragoons regiment (see WIKIPEDIA). It is supposed to have been used in
South Africa during the Boer War (1899-1902).

 |

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.
 |
- Z -
Profile - (No information available - seen only in Italy)
 |
Technical
Data
(No info - probably cheap asian production) |
PROFILE: Former German company? No data momentarily available
- Your help is welcome.
Map reading devices (Click on pictures for enlarged views)

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. |