An old British compass.

Deuce-deuce

Deuce-deuce

BANNED
BANNED
BANNED
EE Expired
Rating - 98%
98   2   0
Location
Behind a large rock
I found this in a box of stuff an old friend gave me...
It's got a broad arrow on the back.
The dial, if that's the correct term. Is mother of pearl.
Nice shape. Seems to be painted brass.

Looking for information... And of course value??? Thanks!!

8PYo6Y.jpg


7IsJ8x.jpg


hj04Hr.jpg


oEFEAB.jpg
 
plinker 777 said:
The "mother of pearl" is more than likely to be an early iridium paint (slightly radio active) for night readings. In any event that's a nice piece, they don't build 'em like that anymore. ;)
Click to expand...



This is a very interesting theory. I plan on pursuing it further... However, I highly doubt it. I collect mother of pearl... Mostly m.o.p. Handled knives but other bits also. I'm pretty sure it's mother of peal or abalone. It's acctualy what drew me to the piece.
 
Gotta love old compasses like that. I wonder how well it still works, probably still works fine, although the magnetic Declination (Correct term?) might be off since it drifts a little every year.
 
LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1 said:
Gotta love old compasses like that. I wonder how well it still works, probably still works fine, although the magnetic Declination (Correct term?) might be off since it drifts a little every year.
Click to expand...

Yeah. It's neat...
One of the fist things I did today was check it. It's Pretty low tech but I checked it aganst my itelephone and a cheap "Brunton" compass. It seems to be on but it's far too pretty to take out. Lol.
 
I have one and I'm skeptic that the dial is mother of pearl unless someone replace it. But I'm not an expert. Claven might chime in, I bought my compass from him and I'm sure he knows more about them. They are very well made compasses.

One thing though - the iridium paint(?) is radioactive and if planning to use, should be replaced.
 
fugawi said:
I have one and I'm skeptic that the dial is mother of pearl unless someone replace it. But I'm not an expert. Claven might chime in, I bought my compass from him and I'm sure he knows more about them. They are very well made compasses.

One thing though - the iridium paint(?) is radioactive and if planning to use, should be replaced.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I'm 99% that it is. Lol.
If you don't mind my asking, how much did you pay?

Edit. It seems to match this.
http://imageevent.com/badgerdog/britishservicerifles/britishmilitaryaccessories/1941mkiiicompass
 
Last edited:
plinker 777 said:
The "mother of pearl" is more than likely to be an early iridium paint (slightly radio active) for night readings. In any event that's a nice piece, they don't build 'em like that anymore. ;)
Click to expand...

Yes, they were olive green when I was issued them in the 1980s. Other than that, they looked the same. I was told it would cost me a bit over a hundred pounds if I lost one.
 
I bought mine for the collector value as it is a Canadian Kodak Company MkIII liquid prismatic compass made in 1942 under patent from Francis Barker of London with some provence to it.

Plus it had been professionally cleaned and refurbished by Trade Mark London to make it safe and accurate. Its in better condition than yours and includes the issue case.

Its a very nice compass. I don't think what I paid would be relevant as its not an equal comparison.
 
Last edited:
fugawi said:
I bought mine for the collector value as it is a Canadian Kodak Company MkIII liquid prismatic compass made in 1942 under patent from Francis Barker of London with some provence to it.

Plus it had been professionally cleaned and refurbished by Trade Mark London to make it safe and accurate. Its in better condition than yours and includes the issue case.

Its a very nice compass. I don't think what I paid would be relevant as its not an equal comparison.
Click to expand...
... I'd agree. Mine is 100% mother of pearl dial or compass card. It sounds like we have two very different units.

There is no reason this unit wouldn't be "safe" and it seems accurate. Many collectors don't want things "restored", myself included.
 
If you're not planning to use it the radioactive paint is probably not an issue as exposure would be minimal.

But for my compass it was essential that it was refurbished as I plan to use it while hunting as a backup compass and want it to work properly plus not be exposed to the paint radioactivity.
 
T.G. Co. Ltd. London
Profile - T.G. Co. Ltd. was the abbreviation used by The Gramophone Company. This firm merged with its subsidiary His Master's Voice (2/3) and with Columbia Graphophone Co. (1/3) in 1931 to become EMI (Electric & Musical Industries) who continued to use “The Gramophone Co.” trademark for various items, changing it for the War contracts to just T.G. Co. Ltd.
In reality, F. Barker & Son apparently built these compasses since they all carry the B prefix to the serial number.

T. G. Co. disappeared as soon as WW2 finished. This company name was probably used to keep secret the manufacturer's real identity.
The letter 'B' in the serial number means that this compass was in reality produced by F. BARKER & Son.
Click to expand...

http://www.compassmuseum.com/hand/hand_4.htm
 
Where abouts did you pick yours up. Would not mind having one of these as well for use.

fugawi said:
I bought mine for the collector value as it is a Canadian Kodak Company MkIII liquid prismatic compass made in 1942 under patent from Francis Barker of London with some provence to it.

Plus it had been professionally cleaned and refurbished by Trade Mark London to make it safe and accurate. Its in better condition than yours and includes the issue case.

Its a very nice compass. I don't think what I paid would be relevant as its not an equal comparison.
Click to expand...
 
plinker 777 said:
The "mother of pearl" is more than likely to be an early iridium paint (slightly radio active) for night readings. In any event that's a nice piece, they don't build 'em like that anymore. ;)
Click to expand...

I think he means RADIUM paint. If you're ever near London ON I can certainly check it out for you. I have access to all sorts of radiation detection equipment.
 
fugawi said:
I bought mine for the collector value as it is a Canadian Kodak Company MkIII liquid prismatic compass made in 1942 under patent from Francis Barker of London with some provence to it.
Click to expand...

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1 said:
Where abouts did you pick yours up. Would not mind having one of these as well for use.
Click to expand...

I bought it off the EE a few years back. Claven2 was selling it, part of a collection of the late Capt. Haddad of the RCAMC.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom