Stanley of London prismatic pocket compass · c. 1905
Brass prismatic compass, mother-of-pearl card, in original stitched leather pouch. Reads true and quickly.
- SKU
- MS-SC-1008
- Era
- 1900-1950
- Condition
- Card swings free, prism clear, hinged lid closes crisply, leather pouch original
- Dimensions
- 2.75" diameter × 1.25" deep closed
- Weight
- 7 oz
- Provenance
- From the Warrender family papers, Northumberland, 2020
- Category
- Scientific Instruments
- Tags
- compassprismaticstanleypocketbrass
A Stanley of London prismatic pocket compass, brass throughout, with a mother-of-pearl card graduated in degrees and cardinal points. The card swings freely, damps within four seconds, and settles cleanly on magnetic north. The prism is clear and the sighting slot cover snaps down with the little brass detent still doing its job.
These were the standard-issue reconnaissance compass for Edwardian surveyors and, later, for two generations of Boy Scouts of a certain vintage. This example has none of the salt-corrosion that betrays military service; it appears to have led a civilian life.
In the original stitched russet leather belt pouch, marked in ink on the flap 'H. Warrender, 1906.'
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