Old FBandS 1932 marked compass

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

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In a box of my dad's old stuff, there was an old compass. I was wondering if I can get any info on it. I'm also wondering if it has any radium paint in it and what the risks are.

Markings on the bottom are:

In the center, "FB&S (1932)"
"No. B.247893"
There is also what looks like a obliterated marking above the No. Marking.

Outer rims has two markings

6605-102-3672 CDN Mk 1/1 (this has been linned out with the following added.

6605-21-102-3672 C1B1

Any info would be great. I am a little concerned with potential radium paint.

Thanks
 
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I think you mean radium paint.

A picture would be helpful. Also, the radium is likely inside the compass and not a big deal unless it’s next to you for very long periods, for instance in the nightstand next to your head where you sleep every night.
 
Claven2 said:
I think you mean radium paint.

A picture would be helpful. Also, the radium is likely inside the compass and not a big deal unless it’s next to you for very long periods, for instance in the nightstand next to your head where you sleep every night.
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Yes, didn't think radon looked right. I've corrected it.

My understanding is the paint is really only an issue if consumed or enters the body. Was there any paint on the outside of the compass or was it all contained inside?

I'll try and get some pics.
 
LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1 said:
Yes, didn't think radon looked right. I've corrected it.

My understanding is the paint is really only an issue if consumed or enters the body. Was there any paint on the outside of the compass or was it all contained inside?

I'll try and get some pics.
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Generally that’s right. If it’s all on the inside, you are likely fine. Ingestion would be bad. Google “radium girls” to get the idea.

If contained in the compass, you only get emitted alpha, beta and gamma rays, measured in micro sieverts. Without a Geiger counter, impossible to know how much, but most of the time, this exposure is negligible unless it’s close you your skin for extended periods.
 
More concerned with the paint chipping off and one of the kids being exposed. For a while it was in a display cabinet but I am moving it to my place and am worried about any chips.

How delicate was the paint?
 
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Here's a pic of the bottom. I think it's a rebuilt mk3 from what I can see.

I think I have been a little too worried about the paint chips. I took it off the shelf, placed it on the carpet and then straight into a bag. Likely good of something falling off then is super slim.
 

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That’s a Francis barker prismatic compass. There should be no radium in it if it was rebuilt and given an NSN engraving. Likely it has tritium inserts and would be harmless.

Can you show a picture of the other side, in particular the latch area, both open and closed?
 
Ok you do have radium paint under the classmate’s from 1 to 36. It’s not worth worrying about.

Is there a line of radium paint still present on the lid that covers the prism sight? Often it’s flaked off and missing. If there is no radium paint there, then you have nothing to worry about when handling that compass.
 
Like here?

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There is a bit of white in there but not a whole lot.

Where was all the radium on these anyways? From what I have found, the line on the lid would be radium. The north indicator on the card, the line on the lense for the bearing, and then the spot above the prism?

This one is set for mils by the looks of it. Any idea when these conversions were done? Despite my concerns about it it's an interesting peice and if it weren't for the radium and the lack of fluid I'd look into using it.
 

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Ok. I'll hit it with a UV light when I get it home.

So the brown line on the cover is likely radium paint as well?

Thanks for the info. I'm sure it's fine as long as I don't abuse it. Dad used to do a lot of surveying back in the 70s/80s and I'm sure this rattled around in his bag for a lot of it.
 
They're very good compasses, I have a similar model but manufactured much earlier. Its indicator plate is a bit worn and the paint on it resembles mother of pearl, which has been engraved and painted.

It was never a glow in the dark type of paint either

Your compass appears to be an upgrade from my variant.

Mine is marked:

1918
E. KOEHM
Geneve Suisse
No 144119

It's has appx 20% of its original black paint, same clasp, but is missing the lanyard ring and lens protector, with a lever to lock the indicator plate. It's also missing the rubber wear ring on the bottom.

The cover is marked "Verners Pattern VIII" and the bottom is stamped with a Broad Arrow.
 
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The same mkiii compass, upgraded to militands, remained on issue until the mid 1990’s. I have a couple here that I use when hunting/hiking.
 
I got around to hitting it with some black light. The radium would glow Green correct? There were a few spots that glowed green, but not a whole lot. the paint of the lens glowed slightly, and there was a bit on the line on the lid. could not get the paint on the card to glow. might have been my weak light though. Interestingly there were some bare metal spots that glowed a slight green as well.

There were a few specks that glowed blue, but I think those might have just been some dust of paper towel residue. the yellow stivker on the bottom glowed really bright blue as well oddly enough.
 
anything white will also glow under a black light, including white paint or shiny metal, but dark brown oxidized paint that glows green under a black light is definitely radium on a compass of that age. Not a big deal if it's stable and you don't over-handle it all the time.

I'd suggest reading though this thread on MSC: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=25433 I think you'll find it helpful. I go by the same handle there.
 
Claven2 said:
anything white will also glow under a black light, including white paint or shiny metal, but dark brown oxidized paint that glows green under a black light is definitely radium on a compass of that age. Not a big deal if it's stable and you don't over-handle it all the time.

I'd suggest reading though this thread on MSC: **Image and video linking functions will be enabled after you have contributed more to the forum** I think you'll find it helpful. I go by the same handle there.
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Thanks for the info. Does not look like a lot of radium left. Which is good to know.


Knolls said:
Does it have a case?
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No Case. Just the compass.
 
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