COMPASSIPEDIA
The Online
Compass Museum
The Online
Compass Museum
 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 |
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 manufacturers represented here are Barker, SILVA, Taylor, Kröplin,
Collignon-Houlliot
(s. a. Mle
1922), Busch,
U.S. Gauge. Orienteering Merit Badge (U.S. Boy Scouts) |
Map
and Compass Belt Loop (U.S. Cub Scouts) |
Germany (Depicts a compass rose with a boy standing with a map in his hands in the center) |
Germany xxx |
Switzerland |
Belgium |
France
(surveyor 1) |
France
(surveyor 2) |
France
(cubs) |
 (Pictures by courtesy of eBay seller fzibuffy) |
 (Click on picture for enlarged view) |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 38 mm - Depth: 16 mm - Weight: 17 gr |
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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 |
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's pattern Markings on the lid: SHORT & MASON Ltd LONDON V 11764 1914  |
Click on picture above for enlarged view Photographs courtesy Trademarklondon.com |
 Hallmarks and signature: JS and GS |
Technical
Data Long-neck compass type - Diameter: ... mm - Depth: ... mm - Weight: ... gr - Dial material: enamel  |
 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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Technical
Data - Diameter: ... mm - Depth: ... mm - Weight: ... gr - Compass rose: enamel (Click on the picture for enlarged view Picture sent by a visitor) |
 Picture courtesy Doug Carter Click on the image for enlarged view |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 45mm - Thickness: 18mm - Compass card: Balmain paper (see Terminology) - Manufacturer's data printed on the card: J.H. Steward, 406 Strand, London Copyright Col. Verner's Sergeant's Compass |
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 (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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Technical Data - Dia.: 38 mm - Height: 11 mm |
 |
 (Click on the pictures for enlarged views ) |
Technical Data - Diameter: 47 mm - Depth: 11 mm |
 (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 - 5246 - Made in U.S.A. by U.S. Gauge Co. N.Y. |
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 (pdf copy available on request).
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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 detail views) |
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Technical
Data - Diameter: 45 mm - Depth: 13 mm - Weight: 28 gr |
 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" |
 The standard Army model. There was also a version with radium paint markings (click to enlarge) |
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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) |
 (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) |
 (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
(Picture
TradeMarkLondon.com)(compare with F. Barker) |
Technical
Data - Diameter: ... mm - Depth: ... mm - Material (casing): silver |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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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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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  (Pics sent by visitors) Two comparable items made by other manufacturers |
Technical Data - Diam.: 45 mm - Height: 14 mm - Divisions: 360°, s.also MISCELLANEOUS/ Cardinals / Russia - Date (on face): 1940 - Material: bakelite |
