POCKET COMPASSES (cont'd)

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- L -

LEMAIRE

PROFILE -  Former French company part of the BAILLE LEMAIRE group.
This pocket compass is identical to the wrist version.
See also marching and survey compasses.
Click for enlarged view

LINCOLN, Abraham (the murderer's compass)

PROFILE - Unknown manufacturer.
This compass is on permanent exhibit at the Ford’s Theater Museum in Washington D.C. It is one of the items which belonged to President Abraham Lincoln's murderer, John Wilkes Booth. The latter tried to escape after he had killed Lincoln on April 14, 1865 at Ford’s Theater. Despite using a compass, the conspirators John Wilkes Booth and David Herold lost their way while attempting to cross the Potomac River on the night of April 20th and landed in Maryland instead of Virginia. They tried again two days later but in the meantime, more Federal troops were hunting them. On April 25 they were surrounded. Herold surrendered and was sentenced to dead. John Wilkes Booth was shot during the fight.
Photographer: Carol M. Highsmith - Postediting: Jaypee (see original picture HERE - "Booth's possession").

LONGINES

PROFILE - Swiss clockmaker located in Saint Imier. He made Mark VI pocket compasses for the U.S.A. and Great Britain during WWI. At that time,  WITTNAUER was their agent in the U.S.A. Another compass was produced in the 1940's after the Longines WITTNAUER Watch Company (LWWW Co.) was created in 1936.


(Photo Dennis Honor - Click on the picture for an enlarged view) 		Technical Data

- Diameter: 49 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 55 gr
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LONG-NECK COMPASSES

Long necks are antique pocket compasses whose loop attachment fitting is somewhat longer than on most other (later) compasses.
They were produced in the second half on the 19th. century, maybe earlier. Most of them feature a bar needle and an enamel display (see SIMMS, SPEAR). Extremely rare are the ones featuring a floating compass card (e.g. NO NAME, GB).

The example below features a tortoise shell back. It is unsigned, however the fleur-de-lys' shape is identical to that featured on the compass signed J. & G. SIMMS.
The transit lock is a plunger type, it goes in and out, rather than side to side. This feature was used only up until around 1790, it is not unique, but is limited only to the very oldest long-neck compasses. It is rare for that feature, but is also unique that it is made in tortoiseshell, solid gold, and gold plated silver. There appears to be no brass.



Pictures courtesy Will Parsons
(Click for enlarged views)

The rear face made of tortoise shell 		Technical Data
- Case diameter = 43 mm
- Dial face dia. = 39 mm
- Case depth = 13 mm
- Neck (not incl. loop) = 12 mm
- Weight: 50g

Note the tiny arrow below NNW indicating the declination: (ca. 23.5° W = 1790, London)
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LUFFT

PROFILE - German company located near Stuttgart (for more information click HERE)
Apparently, LUFFT only manufacturated the BÉZARD compass. A car compass and a diver's wrist compass with identical features are also known.
All other items were produced either by BUSCH or by the French HOULLIOT.
They were called Schülerkompass (school boy's compass), Wanderkompass (hiking compass), Marschkompass (marching compass) etc. They are displayed here together since their simple cylindrical form constitutes one category. The product range goes from simple compasses (no. 330) to precise models for military use or ambitious hikers. The latters featured a rotating course setting arrrow. There were several technical solutions: some were directly fitted under the crystal (no. 745 and 1745) and could be set by turning the crystal frame rim. On others, this arrow was on the rotating capsule floor under the magnetic needle (no. 2745). This system and most other models were manufactured by HOULLIOT. No. 2745 was called in France by MORIN Boussole directrice (see user instr. below). They featured civil divisions (360 degrees) or military divisions (6400 mils). Some had also radium paint markings for night missions.



 Tin model 330 (c. 1910)



Side and rear view
(G. LUFFT - STUTTGART)
 

The museum's collection also comprises a brass model in the size of the tin model, built in a leather strap (see Wrist compasses)
 Brass model 330 (c. 1930)



Technical Data (tin model)
- Diameter: 50 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 48 g

Technical Data (brass model)
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Depth: 10 mm
- Weight: 35 g


MARCHING COMPASS no. 1745		 Tin model, WW I
(The compass rose's grey colour is due to the decaying of the paint - it used to be greenish-white)

 
Rear view marking:
EIGENTUM DER HEERESVERWALTUNG
(propriety of the Army's Administration)

This compass is identical with the BUSCH compass no. 3348 RADIA. Since BUSCH also offers in its catalogue BÉZARD compasses (manufactured by LUFFT), we have good reasons to believe that this compass type was made by BUSCH and retailed by LUFFT.
Technical Data
- Diameter: 50 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 65 g
 Brass model, 1930


Rear view:
16 JR 41 (16. Jägerregiment)



Technical Data
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Depth: 10 mm
- Weight: 44 g
A version of the marching compass with a luminous cardboard rose in a brass body

 The user' instructions
Technical Data
- Divisions 6400 mils, counterclockwise
- Diameter: 45 mm
- Depth: 13 mm
- Weight: 26 g


No. 1950 with glass bottom.


Technical Data
- Diameter: 50 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 47 g
- Divisions: 400 grades

Probably an export version export from France. In the 1950's-60's, the French company MORIN sold the compass type Modèle 1922 based on the same principles: transparent bottom and arrow point on the bakelite rim. It was also made by Houlliot.

Nr. 1745 S (with swivel case)
This compass dial design also appears in a BUSCH catalog (model Radia).

Model no. 1950 with swivel case like no. 1745 S
Technical Data
- Dimensions: 67 x 54 x 15 mm
- Weight: 83 g
- Divisions: 400 grad/gon
(Click on picture below for enlarged view)



Two different sizes:
 Tourist compass No. 440 D
(the letter D stands for the German word Deckel, i.e. lid)
Concerning the German word "Tourist" in the 1930s and in East Germany (GDR), see MISCELLANEOUS / Terminology.

Technical Data
Brass compass
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Depth: 14 mm
- Weight: 35 g

Model No. 1540
Design differs slightly from the picture
(compare with the MORIN, fig. 51 below).		 Technical Data
Material: steel/silver-plated
- Diameter: 35 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 30 g
- Punch inside lid: D 35


Basic model no. 1745
(Compare with MORIN's
Boussole Directrice
fig. 1235, next item)
Model no. 2745 D
(the letter D is for the German word Deckel, lid)

User Instructions printed in France (with typos) by the French manufacturer Houlliot.
S/No.: 36

Technical Data
- Diameter: 46 mm
- Depth: 14 mm
- Weight: 60 g
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- M -

MOKO

Profile - Former German manufacturer (DRGM : see MISCELLANEOUS / Abbrev.)
Vesta cases, vesta boxes, or pocket match safes were small portable boxes made in a great variety of forms with snapshut covers to contain vestas (short matches) and keep them dry (Definition: Wikipedia).


Click on picture for enlarged view 		Vesta case



(Pictures petra40cat) 		Technical Data
- Diameter: 48 mm
- Length (with loop): 70 mm
- Depth: 17 mm
- Weight: 29,7 gr
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MORIN

Profile - Former French company (for more information, click HERE).
See also the categories Survey & Artillery compasses, Nautical compasses and Marching compasses

The catalogue for the year 1930 gives a perfect overview of its product range. MORIN specialised in the field of high precision measuring instruments but offered also a large variety of widely used smaller compasses.
The most well known were the so called "boussoles directrices" (Marching compasses) used during WW I. The various items are shown together with the catalogue illustration.

(Click on pictures for enlarged views)



1930 MORIN catalogue with short user instr.

Model no. 9194, fig. 1235
This compass type featured civil (360 deg.), geodesic (400 grades) or military divisions (6400 mils). This one also has self-luminescent radium paint markings.
There were many different cases for this compass type (metallic and leather). We display some of them below.

Technical Data
- Diameter: 52 mm
- Depth: 10 mm
- Weight: 48 g.




Technical Data (as above)
- Divisions: 6400 mils.
- Case: aluminium, guilloché back plate
(see definition under MISCELLANEOUS).
The Museum also has another one wih a brass case.
- Compass dial: brushed (silver-coated ?) for better light reflectivity. It reflects light in the dark like the mother-of-pearl cards used by british compass makers.

- FRENCH ARMY's  USER INSTRUCTION:
La boussole du soldat en campagne
(Copy available)




Side view of transit lock

Technical Data
Identical to the marching compass Model 1922 but w/o casing
Brass casing with hinged lid
Belgium's Army
 

Technical Data
Special device for horse riding. It was attached to the saddle. It comprises a clip and a compass pocket with a concealed flap on the other side.

Technical Data (compass: see above)
The flap has a magnifying glass so that the rider can read the compass indication while seated upright in the saddle.

Model no. 100, fig. 51

Technical Data
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 35 g
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MULLER & VAUCHER (M & V) S.A.

PROFILE - Former Swiss manufacturer located in Bienne (Biel in German) and Geneva and founder of RECTA in 1897 (no more data momentarily available)
Eric Vaucher was the engineer who designed the famous match-box shaped RECTA DP compass type.

The figure 71481 engraved on the rear face together with the helvetic cross is the patent number dated 1916 indicated on the front face. This patent describes the locking mechanism of the magnet needle with a sliding rod in the pendant activating a lever (see picture below). The needle in the other compasses with French and English cardinal points which were probably made by this company (same design of the bezel with integrated marching course arrow) is locked by means of a cam disk activated by the button in the pendant. This cam depresses then the transit lock bar, pushing the needle upwards.

Version in German with patented transit locking device



(Click for enlarged views)



Detailed view of the transit locking lever end
 Vaucher Patent
no. on rear face





(Click on the drawing for an enlarged view)		 French version



Click on the picture for an enlarged view



English version
(Photo priv. coll.)		 Technical Data
(French version)
- Diameter: 50 mm
- Depth: 14 mm
- Weight: 64 gr

Material:
- German version: alumium
- Fr. and Engl. versions: brass, chromated
- Divisions (german): 4 x 90 deg.

The magnetic declination is indicated by a line of luminous paint on the transit lock bar in the German version. This information appears as an arrow (left of North) on the English version. On the French version, it seems that the dial was rotated by this angle so that the transit lock bar faces magnetic North.
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- N -

NARDIN, Ulysse

PROFILE - Former Swiss clock maker (for more information click HERE).


Open face compass (compare with the hunter case made by BILAND). The needle rotates between the face and an S-shaped transverse bar so that the major part of it is always to be seen. The crystal has a metallic frame.
The letters N and S on the needle had each one two radium paint dots but at different places: at each end of the S but at the lower ends of the N, so that they couldn't be mistaken.
 (Click on picture for enlarged view)

Manufacturer's name and address:
Ulysse NARDIN, LOCLE & GENÈVE



The manufacturer's monogramme reads:
a-B-c (?) where the uppercase 'B' most probably stands for BILAND who has signed a compass showing the same monogramme.
 Technical Data
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Depth: 6 mm
- Weight: 33 g
Two patent numbers are indicated:
76117 for France and 83025 for Switzerland (these numbers have probably been re-used because they now refer to vapour machine systems).
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NEGRETTI & ZAMBRA

PROFILE - Former British Company (for more information click HERE)
N & Z built large instruments for ships but also small instruments, any of them were in reality manufactured by F. BARKER and Son.
See a small N&Z compass integrated in a photographer's instrument made by A. Watkins.

Technical Data
The compass is housed in a small, 1.75 inch (45mm) diameter brass hunter case which was originally ebonised; much of this has worn away with age and use but the inside remains original. There is a hanging loop and a working push-button catch. Inside the case there is a nickel plated ring or frame, with milled edge, which slides upwards allowing the compass to swing in its gimbals and releasing the card to search for North. The actual compass is tiny, 1 inch (25mm) in diameter, with a black & silvered card marked Negretti & Zambra London. It consistently sets North. The compass weighs 100 grams, depth closed: 17 mm.
This particular design is called SINGER after its inventor: i.e. the card's northern half is blackened to render readings in the dark easier.
For comprehensive explanations, see also THE COMPASS COLLECTOR's website (LINKS).


By pulling a cylindrical support out of the case, the compass card moves freely in the gimbals.
The original compass as shown in a
F. Barker catalogue
The compass card is made of mother of pearl with black paint


Dial: F. Barker's RGS design
Negretti und Zambra's maker punch: N&Z
Three hallmarks on the Sterling case. Passant, Lion face and "P" date stamp for 1910.

(Click on the picture for an enlarged view)		 Technical Data (approx.)
- Diameter: 25 mm
- Depth: 18 mm
- Weight: 25 g
The compass card is the one of the SCOUTING compass model made by F. Barker (see above).

(Pictures courtesy Louise Kneller, resalevintageshop)
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NEWTON & Co.

PROFILE - Former British Company (for more information click HERE).
See also Marching compasses.



(Click on the pictures for enlarged views)

Pictures TML
 Technical data
- Diameter: 54 mm


(Click on the picture to view the gimbal)

(Click on the picture for a detailed view)

Pictures TML 		Technical data
- Diameter (compass bowl): 54 mm
- Case diameter: 85mm
- Case height: 55mm
- Dial diameter: 48mm, mother of pearl, SINGER's patent design
 - Weight: 380g
- Case material: wood covered in Morocco leather and lined in green velvet
- Compass bowl moves on gimbals
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P - Q

PASTO - Paul STOCKERT

PROFILE - Former German Company (more information HERE).
See also category Marching Compasses.



(Click on the picture for an enlarged view)		 Technical data
- Diameter: 45 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 46 gr
Very original system: the transparent capsule with an arrow painted on it can be rotated.
The crown is identical with the one of the marching compass models (MERIDIAN included).
 
Pathfinder - Go to Boy & Girls Scouts

PLATIN

PROFILE - PLATIN was possibly the name of a private manufacturer that became the "people's company" VEB Plastverarbeitung in communist East-Germany. Probably early 1950's.


(Click on images for enlarged views)
Matchbox-type container
 Technical Data
- Dia.: 40mm
- Height: 15mm
- The declination value of 20° W ist unrealistic: it was about 5° W at the time the compass was manufactured.
Text on box: Der zuverlässige Kompaß = the reliable compass
Stamp: EVP (empfohlener Verkaufspreis) = recommended price: 2,05 DM.
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- R -

RUBERGALL

PROFILE - Thomas RUBERGALL was a British manufacturer (London, 1800 - 1854)


 Technical Data
- Diameter: mm
- Depth: mm
- Weight: g.


(Picture courtesy Trademarklondon.com - Click on the picture for an enlarged view)
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RUSSIA / USSR

PROFILE - Manufacturer not identified. Most probably military compass.


(Click on picture for enlarged view) 		Technical Data
- Diameter: 49 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 55 g
The crystal features a white (former luminous?) lubber's line and is attached to a bezel that can be rotated to set the marching course.
The letter C is the initial of the russian word CEBEP (pronounce SEVER) meaning North.


(Click on pictures for enlarged views)


Conversion scales:
- Top: 1 inch
- Bottom: 25 mm 		Technical Data
- Diameter: 49 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 53 g
- Divisions: 360° clockwise, 600(0) MILS counterclockwise.
Figures and markings: luminous paint. Cardinals, see MISCELLANEOUS
- White lubber's line
- Luminous paper sheet under the skeleton dial
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CONTINUED