POCKET COMPASSES (cont'd)

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- S -

SCHWAB & WUISCHPARD

PROFILE : Former U.S. company (for more information click HERE).



Click on the picture for an enlarged view
(Picture Wayne SVDP/Tacoma) 		Technical Data
- Diameter: ... mm
- Depth: ... mm
- Weight: ... gr
- Markings: radium paint dots by E, S & W cardinals, a triangle by North, and on both ends of the needle (longer by North).
- Manufactured approx.  WWII

Scoutism

Youth organisations like Girl and Boy Scouts have always been a good market for compass manufacturers which designed especially for them simple instruments although some reach the same precision level than military compasses. The manufaturers represented here SILVA, Taylor, Kröplin, Collignon-Houlliot (see also Mle 1922), Busch, U.S. Gauge.
A special mention should be made of the trail-blazer wrist compass made by US-Gauge.


Picture at r.: Pocket compass made by Collignon-Houlliot especially for the Jamboree in 1947 (click for enlarged view).
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SELSI

PROFILE - Selsi Company, Inc. is a U.S. importer of instruments. The original Sussfeld Lorsch Company was created in 1854 by two partners Sussfeld and Lorsch to import optical instruments from Europe. Before the turn of the 20th century, the business was renamed Sussfeld, Lorsch and Schimmel when a relative joined the company. The business scope covered binoculars and telescopes as well as watches and clocks.
In 1929, the business was incorporated and the name was modified into Selsi Company, Inc. by adding two vowels to the three founding partners’ initials (S-L-S). 
Simple pocket compass probably made in the 50's or 60's.

(Click on the picture for enlarged view)


 Technical Data
- Diameter: 1-3/4" ( 45 mm )
- Depth: 11 mm
- Transit lock: the screw's end depresses the lever when tightening
- Markings: SELSI USA
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SHORT & MASON

PROFILE - Former British manufacturer (for more information click HERE).

MARK V pattern



(Click on picture for enlarged view)		 The compass capsule is attached to the casing by two screws accessible from the rear side (picture below)

 Technical Data
- Diameter: 45 mm
- Depth: 15 mm
- Weight: 50 gr
- Card: aluminium, Singer pattern

Markings on the lid:
SHORT & MASON Ltd
LONDON
V
11764
1914


Another famous model was THE MAGNAPOLE of which there seemed to have existed several versions, with fixed and with rotable crystal (without and with lubber line).
The patent (no. 22,598) was filed in 1914 by Francis Edward Collinson, Manufacturer and Short & Mason Ltd, both of Aneroid Works, Mac- Donald Road, Walthamstow, London N.E.
The model designation MAGNAPOLE was also used for a pocket compass in a cooperation with the US manufacturer TAYLOR.

Model name: THE MAGNAPOLE



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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SIMMS, J. & G.

PROFILE - James and George Simms were English compass makers. J & G Simms (1820 – 1855) had premises at 4 Broadway, Blackfriars, and at 9 Greville Street, Hatton Garden in London.
Francis Barker learnt his trade there and was the compass maker for J & G Simms in 1842 when this compass was made. Francis Barker eventually bought the company in 1855 after both brothers had died.

This item was made for C. W. DIXEY, Opticians to the Queen, who had shops at 335 Oxford Street, 3 New Bond Street and in Old Bond Street, London.





Compass rose: enamel
(Click on picture for enlarged view
Photos Courtesy Bettina "Atlam")

Hallmarks and signature: JS and GS




 Technical Data
- Diameter: ... mm
- Depth: ... mm
- Weight: ... gr
.
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S-L (Société des Lunetiers)

PROFILE : Former French company (for more information click HERE). See also SURVEY COMPASSES



360 degrees version
Luminous paint
Made in France indication (by 70 deg)

400 grades version
Additional red line on back plate turned by 90 deg. against the arrow
Formerly self luminescent radium paint (now turned orange)



Comparison of the casings: black or chromium-plated. The chromium-plated items with 400 grades division feature two transparent back plates, each with two engraved diameters (eight radii together).		 Technical Data
- Diameter: 54 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 54 gr
- Case: brass, blackened or chromium-plated
- Crown: aluminium or brass, chromium-plated

(Click on the pictures for enlarged views - except side views)

(Click on the picture for an enlarged view) 		 

Original box with the company's logo : the letters S and L on both sides of a symbolized candelabra, white on green background (for more details, see this company's profile).		 Boy scout version (like the MORIN's WW I type above) with leather lanyard, ca. 1920/1930. Note the typical Société des Lunetiers' graphism of the cardinal points letters (N).

Technical Data
(see above)
- Divisions: 360 deg.
- Marching course arrow upon grey dial face
- Case: brass, chromium-plated
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SPEAR

PROFILE - Mathematical Instruments maker and Optician - 1791 - 1814 at 29 Capel Street, Dublin and also 27 and 35 College Green, Dublin

Technical Data
- Diameter: ... mm
- Depth: ... mm
- Weight: ... gr
- Compass rose: enamel


(Click on the picture for enlarged view
Picture sent by a visitor)
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S&W 

see (top of page) Schwab & Wuischpard
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- T -

TAYLOR

NOTE: This description gives only an idea of Taylor's production. For more information, we receommend the book COMPASS CHRONICLES (s. LINKS)

PROFILE: Forer US manufacturer - Rochester, New York - famous for the great variety of pocket compass designs and for a WWII paratrooper wrist compass. Taylor's success story began in 1851 when George Taylor and his partner Kendall built thermometers in Rochester, N.Y., selling them from their truck. The company's name was changed in 1872 into Taylor Bros., later incorporated in 1890. Taylor opened a sales office in New York city a year later and acquired Short & Mason (London) in 1900 and  consolidated into its new building in 1906. Taylor Instruments Company was formed in 1907 consolidating different branches. The brand name TYCOS (from a plant address in Toronto, Canada) was adopted for Taylor Instrument products (see ad at right).

The first world war brought a heavy demand for pocket compasses.  The Rochester plant received an order in June,1917 for compasses to be delivered at a rate of 2,000 per month.  By october the monthly output reached 52,000. A special building for making compasses was erected (in 22 days it was operational!). More than 800,000 were delivered by war's end.
 
By WW2, Taylor was well positioned to service both industry and the government. Hitler's menacing war machine was threatening to bomb the Short & Mason plant in England, because of the company's supplying the RAF with air-speed indicators and the like. The British government provided another plant outside London while the Walthamstow plant was still operating.  Short & mason escaped with minor damage from German bombers.  Also, by 1943 brass was needed for war material like shell casings, and Taylor began using plastics (bakelite) as a durable substitute for its compasses. By 1944, Taylor was making liquid-filled wrist compasses for US paratroopers.

 (see also the company's website www.taylorusa.com).

We display a few examples out of a vast program of compasses with significant designations, built between the 1920's and 1960's. Most of them were built or designed in cooperation with SHORT & MASON. The drawings are from a 1919 catalog if not specified otherwise.
See also Wrist compasses.
(Click on the pictures for enlarged views)

TELAWAY
(tell a way)



Simple cylindric case		 MAGNAPOLE
(magnetic pole)

 FLODIAL
(floating dial)

 The Aurapole (right) was also built in Taylor's plant in Toronto, Canada on Tycos Drive, for the Canadian forces in WW1. The case on these compasses has what is known as the Canadian broadarrow, which is like the british but with a "C" surrounding it. AURAPOLE
(after the latin wort
 aurum for gold?)


The oldest catalogue we know of (1916-17) already displayed 8 different compasses but in the catalogue for the year 1931, the list comprised already 11 names.
Taylor offered the Usanite, Ceebynite and Aurapole models in a 14K gold plated case from 1918
(see picture by courtesy of Perry)
 
 Later, (after WWII until the 1960's) the list continued to grow with new models.
In the whole more than 20 different names are known:
- USANITE (use at night) : like LEEDAWL in a hunter case, military version marked ENG. DEPT. 1918
- GYDEWAY (selfexplanative) : like SHOWAY but with a lid
- MERADIAL (mere a dial?)

TAYLOR produced also like many other watch makers (Dennison, Terrasse etc.) a pocket compass type Mk VI for the infantrymen during WW1. The lid is marked U.S.E.C. (U.S. Engineers' Corp).
(Click on the pictures for enlarged views)


(1919 catalogue)
Model LEEDAWL
Old version (about 1920)

Technical Data
- Diameter: 43 mm
- Depth: 11 mm
- Weight: 28 gr
Model LITENITE

Technical Data
- Diameter: 43 mm
- Depth : 10 mm
- Weight : 25 gr
- Divisions: 360 deg. North and South markings with radium paint (triangle and disk)


Advertisement on which the two radium paint markings seem to glow in the dark. 		Model CEEBYNITE
Military version of the LITENITE in a hunter type case

Technical Data
- Diameter: 43 mm
- Depth: 13 mm
- Weight: 43 gr
- Divisions: 360 deg. North and South markings with radium paint (triangle and disk)



Pictures by courtesy of L. Boigey

(Click on pictures for detailed views)
 Model USANITE
(Use at night)
Military version: ENG. DEPT. U.S.A. and year of issue (1917 = during WWI)

Technical Data
- Diameter: 43 mm
- Depth: 13 mm
- Weight: 43 gr
- Divisions: four quadrants, North and South markings in radium paint 


Pictures by Dennis Honor



(Click on pictures for detailed views)
 Model LUMENITE
(Illuminate?) in a luxurious engraved case

Technical Data
- Diameter: 43 mm
- Depth: 13 mm
- Weight: 43 gr
- Divisions: 360 deg. North and South markings in radium paint 



Model GYDAWL
 hunter version 

Boy scouts later version (approx. 1930's)
Click for enlarged view 		Model GYDAWL for boy scouts
(Gydawl = guide all)

Technical Data
- Diameter: 52 mm
- Depth: 13 mm
- Weight: 70 gr
- Divisions: 360°
- Transit lock: knurled screw head in the triangular attachment loop
- Needle with an N-shaped cut-out like on all other later scouts' compasses
GYDEWAY (l.) and SHOWAY (r.)
in the 1961 catalog

  
(Pic. at left by courtesy of 7century)
 Model SHOWAY

Technical Data
- Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 10 mm
- Weight: 20 gr
- Divisions: 4 quadrants (0-90 degr.)
- Material: Bakelite



(Click on pictures for enlarged views)

Official Girl Scout (G.S.) compass
Click on picture for view of instructions (copies available)
(pic. at left, bottom: the boy's model. Is this political correctness?)
An old boy scout's compass box

Technical Data (G.S. compass)
- Diameter: 43 mm
- Depth: 11 mm
- Weight: 28 gr
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TERRASSE

PROFILE: (draft) Terrasse W. Co. was together with Barker and Dennison an important British compass maker during WW I.
Mark VI Pocket compass. The reference book THE PRISMATIC COMPASS describes this instrument as follows:
"This compass is of the watch type (...) and has recently been improved. It differs from the Mark V in that the dial is graduated every five degrees instead of points of compass and figured every 20 degrees. Also the North point is marked with a radium-painted luminous arrow, the E. W. and S. points by luminous dots. Instead of the lubber mark, a black hair line is drawn across the glass, near the ends of which are radio-luminous marks, one end being arrow-shaped."



(For more details click on the picture) 		Mark VI compass

Technical Data
- Diameter: 43 mm (1 9/32")
- Depth: 11 mm
- Weight: 28 gr
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- U -

U.S. Gauge Co.

PROFILE - U.S. Manufacturer created in 1904 in Sellersville (Pennsylvania), later located in New York, now part of AMETEK.
See also category Wrist compasses.



(Click for detailed view)
 		Inside the box, instruction concerning the transit lock.

(Click on the links to see the pictures)

 Technical Data
- Diameter: 2" / 50 mm
- Depth: 10 mm
- Weight: 45 g
- Divisions : 360°, clockwise
- Inscription in a Malta cross, on the face's south side:
U.S. Gauge Co. N.Y.

(Click for detailed view)
 		Girl Scout official compass.

See also TAYLOR (above) for Boy Scout compasses.
See also SILVA
 Technical Data
- Diameter: 2" / 50 mm
- Depth: 10 mm
- Weight: 45 g
- Divisions : 360°, clockwise
- Inscription on face. hidden below the case rim:
AD - Made in U.S.A. by U.S. Gauge Co. N.Y.

- V -

VONIN

PROFILE - Jacques Vonin was a small French company (located 254, Boulevard St. Germain Paris - agent for CHARRON Ltd and DARRACQ cars).
The Online Compass Museum was given a complete technical-commercial study* drawn up in 1915 and covering the design and manufacture of a pocket compass with Radium paint markings. The instrument described therein has some similarities with the compass model used by the infantrymen in the trenchies during WW1. This study was apparently not followed by a series production, but some samples were sent to potential partners in Italy (Milan and Turin). Furthermore, advertisements were printed in Paris newspapers in March 1915 (see picture), then in Italy (June 1915).
It is therefore possible that some items may still exist today. A user's instructions note was also printed bearing a much simpler design than the original project and design eventually chosen by the French War Ministry (no marching course setting arrow; compare with the instruments displayed in the article on MORIN). The aim was to manufacture a cheaper instrument than the Bézard-type compass sold in France during the same period by Auricoste. Since this item is now completely forgotten, the story must have ended abruptly: in a letter, M. Vonin is summoned to accept a delivery and to pay for a "great quantity of ordered compasses"…

Technical Data 
Four different models were planned: A/AL and B/BL (L = lumineuse, i.e. with several Radium paint marks) from the totally simple one without loop, transit lock, Radium markings and with a cheap brass needle cap, to the full model with all features plus an agate cap and a lacquered case.
Common features: paper dial, 30mm diameter, bevelled crystal. A leather strap was also offered for wearing as a wrist compass.

* Contributed by Mr François-Xavier Bernard who wrote a comprehensive article (in Italian language) in the review MILITES, issue no. 35  of Mai/June 2009.

VTD

PROFILE - Former (unidentified) Chechoslovak manufaturer. On the reverse side: the abbreviation TEL and the figure 37 on either side of a heraldic lion, Chechoslovakia's coat of arms, which is also drawn within a losange (see MISCELLANEOUS, Cardinal points / Czech).




Technical Data
- Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 7 mm
- Weight: 34 gr
- Divisions : 360°, clockwise
- Radium paint markings: on the needle's Northern end and above the letter S (sever = North)
- Leather pouch (picture: click on the link)

(Click on the pictures for detailed views)
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- W -

WALTHAM

PROFILE: US watch manufacturer.
See also category Wrist-top compasses



 Technical Data
- Diameter: 45 mm
- Depth: 13 mm
- Weight: 28 gr
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WILKIE (Wilhelm Kienzler)

PROFILE - Former German company (for more information click HERE).
Export versions of some models had a designation like WANDERER or HUNTER (see below).
See also the categories marching, nautical, wrist and geological compasses.


Early model with transparent fluid capsule
Technical Data
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Depth: 15 mm
- Weight: 32 gr



Early model D45 (c. 1960's).
The grey colour is due to the decaying luminous paint


(Click on the pictures to view details)

Model D45 - cat. no. 1234 C, 1970's		 Technical Data
- Diameter: 45 mm
- Depth: 13 mm
- Weight: 39 gr


Model SMD45/F (fluid) c. late 50's.

Model SDM45, 1970's

(Click on the pictures to view details)
Model with course marking pointer.
It could be set from above through the crystal

Technical Data
- Diameter: 45 mm
- Depth: 13 mm
- Weight (dry): 37 gr
- Weight (fluid): 50 gr

SMD45/F, export version: red needle and pointer.
Inscriptions, on face: HUNTER EDGE; on lid: "Liquid filled"
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WITTNAUER

PROFILE - U.S. watch maker who produced compasses in cooperation with the famous Swiss watch maker Longines.
 Wittnauer was Longines agent during WW !.  The Longines Wittnauer Watch Company (LWWW Co.) was created in 1936.
 More information HERE.


The standard Army model. There was also a version with radium paint markings
(click to enlarge)
Technical Data
- Diameter: 45 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 50 gr
- Manufacturer: Longines-Wittnauer
(see box - top right, click to enlarge)
 
Below: Case reverse side 

(MFR'S = Manufacturer's)


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WOTTON & SHERRY

PROFILE - Wotton & Sherry of Gwelo, Rhodesia (Now Zimbabwe) – Rhodesian retailer that had compasses made by Barker in London around 1870s. Their shop was much-used by British explorers who were starting to colonise Rhodesia.


(Picture by courtesy of Trademarklondon.com - click to enlarge)
Technical Data
- Diameter: mm
- Depth: mm
- Weight: gr
- Manufacturer: F. Barker & Son (triangular logo punched in case)
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X - Y

VARIOUS UNIDENTIFIED COMPASSES

We display here several compasses without manufacturer's name and coming from different countries.



(Click for enlarged view)

(Pictures TradeMarkLondon.com)
 This sort of pocket compass is usually  called  Long neck because of its ring attachment.
This one is particularly rare because it features a floating card consisting of a thin mica sheet between two sheets of paper. The whole is glued onto a magnetic needle. It is balanced by means of wax applied on the underside with the finger (compare with ADAMS, SIMMS, SPEAR above and MISCELLANEOUS / Cardinal points).
Technical Data
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Length: 60 mm
- Date: c. 1840 ?


(Click for enlarged view)
Floating skeleton-style compass card
(compare with F. Barker)

(Picture TradeMarkLondon.com)
 Technical Data
- Diameter: ... mm
- Depth: ... mm
- Material (casing): silver

China or Japan, early 20th c.
Explanation of cardinal points:
see MISCELLANEOUS.

(Click on picture for enlarged view)

 Technical Data
- Diameter: 38 mm
- Depth: 8 mm
- Weight: 18 gr

Denmark, early 20th c.

 Technical Data
- Diameter: 44 mm
- Depth: 10 mm
- Weight: 40 gr

Probably a LUFFT Export version (Russian)

Technical Data
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 25 gr
Probably a LUFFT Export version (Czech)

Technical Data
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Depth: 10 mm
- Weight: 23 gr
Highly probable maker: F. Barker & Son
Technical Data
Dia.: 37 mm / Height: 12 mm
Weight: 30 g / Divisions : card. in German
Case silver-plated inside and around the capsule. SINGER-type face, in addition, letter N with red paint. Another red mark across the figure 6 in 360.
Bar needle with counterweight.



(Click for enlarged view)		 Pocket compass with snap-on lid
France or Belgium, early 20th c.



Lid engraving:
MINISTERE DE LA GUERRE
(Department of War)		 Technical Data
- Diameter: 54 mm
- Depth: 17 mm
- Weight: 110 gr
- Cardinal points : French

(compare with the next item)

The marching course arrow can be rotated by means of the bush at the rear face.

France or Belgium, early 20th c.
 Pocket compass with loop. The rose design is very similar to the item above but the cardinal points are in German.

(see also precedent item above)

 Technical Data
- Diameter: 52 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 50 gr
- Cardinal points in German
- The marching course arrow is set through the crystal from above.

Germany, early 20th c.
The southern cardinal points are displayed in red.
The needle pivot cap is made of a hollowed natural pearl. The box outer surface is chrome plated.
The rear face features a mirror (see also the opera glasses in the category OTHER COMPASSES).

(Click on the picture for an enlarged view)
 Technical Data
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 18 gr
- Rose: cardboard

England, late 19th c.
The North mark typically was a heraldic lily.
The cardinal points read as follows:
NEbE = North-East by East

(Click on the picture for an enlarged view)

 Technical Data
- Diameter: 35 mm
- Depth: 12 mm
- Weight: 12 gr
- Rose: cardboard
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- Z -

ZEISS IKON

PROFILE - Famous German camera manufacturer. This compass (without attachment ring) was maybe meant to be carried in a wrist band (see this category) or fixed inside a large device.



Logo and side view. The needle's transit lock mechanism is actuated by turning the lid against the casing by a 1/8th of a turn.

 Technical Data
Brass, ebonised, approx. 1920
- Diameter: 37 mm
- Depth: 11 mm
- Weight: 28 gr
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- Z -

Z.U.P. (ЗУП in cyrillic letters)

PROFILE - Zavod Uchebnikh Priborov (Factory for Educational Instruments, former USSR)
During the Soviet era this USSR company also built compasses for the RED ARMY (AURKKA).
See also Wrist compasses.

(Picts. sent by visitors)
Two comparable items made by other manufacturers
 Technical Data
- Diam.: 45 mm
- Height: 14 mm
- Divisions: 360°, s.also MISCELLANEOUS/ Cardinals
- Date (on face): 1940
- Material: bakelite