-
M -
Lensatic compass used by the U.S. Army. This designation applies to a
compass system with several designs.
The original and quite heavy
version described here was based on the design of the
DOLLOND
compass described in a 1926 F. BARKER & Son's
catalogue. It was issued to very few units and replaced during
WW2 by a light-weight version (see
Superior
Magneto and
Gurley).
It was superseded by the model M-1950 built by many companies (list:
see
Lensatic)
and still
in use today. For
training
purposes, the Army used a fold-out guide with a dummy compass.
(Click
on small pictures
for enlarged views) |
|
Technical
data
- Diameter (lid): 54mm
- Depth: 35mm
- Weight (empty): 180gr
- Divisions: 6400 mils, counter-clockwise
- Paint: grey, rests of green paint
Manufacturer: some items are signed AINSWORTH.
Official user instruction available (go to our SHOP)
|
MAGNAPOLE was the designation of some hand-held marching
compasses designed and sold by
SHORT
& MASON Ltd solely and
of pocket compasses in
cooperation with
TAYLOR.
The meaning of the abbreviation 'MAG. TRNG.' is not
obvious. 'Magnetic Training' doesn't really make sense.
Low tech military compass made in India when it was part of the British
Empire.
The original model (designed and built in 1942) was officially
modernised a first time 2 years later (Mk II, 1944).
At some unknown later moment the remaining items were transformed
again. You can see here the three different versions.
Above: The crystal was secured by means of a wire feather. The chapter
ring was flat and could be rotated by hand by means of two tabs located
at 90 (E) and 270 (W) deg. .
Below: View of the card's divisions through the side window. At each
end
of
the vertical black line is a small arrowhead of radium paint.
The case side opposite to the window had a white line below the
sighting notch |
Original
model - 1942, S/No. 6529
(Click
for enlarged view)
There
were additional radium paint markings on the bezel inner rim (at
360 degrees) and on the black lubber line engraved on the plexiglass
disk, between the two notches of the casing's rim.
|
Technical
Data
- Diameter: 60 mm
- Depth: 1 in./25 mm
- Weight: 100 gr
- Card release: by depressing a spring-loaded pin at the bottom
- Divisions: 360 deg (card and scale)
- Sighting: over two notches in the rim
- North mark on card: diamond-shaped radium paint marking
- Markings on bottom: British Army's arrow symbol (crowfoot) engraved
above an upper case 'I' for
India, Abbrev. "R.P.A." (Royal Pakistan
Army?)
- Material: brass, black paint
Detail view of the compass card
|
On
the Mk II model, the securing wire was replaced by a tight-fit ring and
the lugs on the chapter ring were replaced by two bulges.
|
Mark
II
Model, 1944
The original card existed also with four holes through which the white
and selfluminescent case inner paint could be seen (see last row):
(Picture
by courtesy of Chris Stedman) |
Technical
Data
- Dim. & weight: see above
- Markings: British Army's arrow symbol ("crow foot") engraved above an
upper case 'I' (for India?), Abbr. "M.I.O." (?)
- Casing date: 1944
- Material: brass, traces of black paint
|
On
the compasses upgraded a second time, the card is now flat and the
useless side window is blinded by a plate attached with four screws.
|
On the latest version, a flat chapter ring was placed upon
the original one. Since it couldn't rotate, this
compass couldn't be used to set a marching course or to
measure a
bearing.
|
Model
ME 502 - Mk II
Technical Data
- Dim. & weight: see above
- Divisions: 360° and 6400 mils on a flat card, 360° on
the (concealed) old ring and the upper new ring
- The design date (1944) has no significance on these modernised
versions.
View inside the casing: the needle brake release is actuated by means
of a push-button (visible on the right of the picture at left), a
hinged lever and a blade spring.
|
MANUFRANCE
(MF)
Short name of the company
Manufacture
d'Armes et de
Cycles de Staint-Etienne
which was the first French mail order retailer created in
1885. Some compasses feature a MF
marking. The models shown are (among others) a
boussole directrice,
a
Bézard,
a
Peigné,
a
Lemaire,
a
Souchier
etc.
Issue 1908
|
Issue
Edition
1921
|
Issue Edition
1965
|
Pocket compass featuring
a typical
Muller
& Vaucher face
|
Compendium, barometer
side
(see one in good condition HERE)
|
|
Meiser
& Mertig
Meiser & Mertig GmbH - Werkstätten
für Präzisionsmechanik (located in Dresden Nr. 6,
Kurfürstenstr. 27) was a German manufacturer of scientific
equipment. M. & M. built in 1924 the
TRIUMPH
compass. Link to the
1903 catalogue
no. 27.
Czechoslovakian
manufacturer located in Prague (
Praha
in Czech language). The name
(MEchanická a OPTická
výrobA) was
created after the company
SRB a SŠP was
taken over by
the state in 1946 and merged with
Optikotechna.
Both had produced in the 1930's and 40's
a
Bézard-type
compass. The only difference lies in
the arrow on the lid which is only a decal on
the SŠP-signed civilian model. See also the Meopta survey
compass.This company's confidential manufacturer code
for military materiel during the
communist era was
xbk
(link to example). See also the yal-signed wrist compass.
The
manufacturer's logo on the casing
|
The embossed arrow on
the lid
|
|
Technical
Data
- Graduation: 360 degrees, clockwise
- Ruler: 50mm
- Weight: 70gr
- The mirror can be held at an angle of 45 deg. by means of
a blade spring mechanism.
|
Hiking compass
probably made in the 1950 or 60's |
Click
on images for enlarged
views |
Technical Data
- Dimensions: 80 x 52 x 20mm
- Divisions: 360 deg., clockwise
- Cardinals: read menue point Miscellaneous / Cardinal points / Czech
- Side ruler: 70mm
- Weight: 75gr
- Dial and needle: Bézard-type
- Materials: Casing made of bakelite, lid and mirror made of steel
- Markings: MEOPTA (logo) Made in Czechoslovakia
|
Former Swiss company located in Ettingen (for more
information click
HERE).
NOTE: Not to be mistaken for the survey compass model called
MERIDIAN and made by the
former German company WILKIE and currently by K&R (see SURVEY
compasses).
MILLER is an Austrian company located in
Innsbruck. Its director Dr Bruno Miller (90 y. old
in Jan.
2013) who had inherited the company from his father Fritz Miller in
1951 could not remember having seen items marked like this one. Miller
never built light compasses but optical survey devices (theodolites).
The graduated circle and the needle are identical to items built later
by PASTO /
WILKIE. The bakelite case is identical to the more simple one displayed
in the MERIDIAN article (above).
|
|
Technical
Data
- Dim.: 65 x 65 x 25 mm
- Graduation: 360° clockwise
- Weight: 88 g
- Clinometer: +/- 90°, bubble level
The cover/mirror can be secured by a screw and activates the transit
lock.
- Ruler: none
- Marking (rear face): MILLER INNSBRUCK
|
Former Swedish company located in Stockholm (no other info available).
The circle in the Swedish military system is divided in 6300 Mils
that's why the north reference faces exactly the division 63.
Between the compass and the hinge are the words INNERSKALA =
GRADER
(inner scale = degrees) and YTTERSKALA = STRECK (outer scale =
MILS).
The
sun
watch and rose of the winds (
link to pic.) is
very particular. The semicardinals are
abbreviated in Swedish (V =
västerut
= west) but the cardinal WEST is a W like on the
compass. The abbrev. FM and EM stand for
formiddag and
eftermiddag i.e.
a.m and p.m., M stands for
noon and MN for midnight. Note that in northern Sweden in summer, the
sun
never sets for several weeks or even months !
Pictures
courtesy of H. Waldmann
|
Sight and lock.
Dot of luminous paint in the lid below the sight. See the pic of the
sun watch.
|
Ruler on both side of casing: 90 mm (together when both halves are
flat) |
Technical
Data
- Dim.: c. 75 x 50 mm
- Div.: 6300 MILS counter-clockwise on bezel,
360° clockwise on compass face
- Cardinals on compass: German (W = West)
- Marking below the sun watch: MILTON & Co
STOCKHOLM
- On either outer face of casing: rulers for distance measuring on
Swedish
military maps
|
This instrument is the only one we know of featuring an
entirely black card (compare with Stinger). They were manufactured
between 1915 -1930 by F. Barker & Son for the Indian Army
(still
under British rule). The dial was also sold in the UK, but wasn't a
popular design. Generally when F. Barker & Son developed
something
that didn't sell well in the UK they managed to sell it to the British
Army in India. The abbreviation M.I.O. stands for Mathematical
Instruments Office located in Calcutta.
Pictures
courtesy David
/ Nautical Antiques
|
|
Technical
Data
- Card material: aluminum
- Dimensions: standard Verner's Pattern Mk VIII
- Further markings:
• On the base: broad arrow above the upper-case 'I'
for India
between the letters I and G.
• On the leather
pouch (link to
pic.): Broad
arrow above an upper-case bold T
|
The mirror compass was first invented by ... in ... (...?). Mirror
compasses usually have like the
prismatic
compasses a double row of divisions on their card: one is printed in
normal figures so that angle values can be read with the naked eye
directly from above through the crystal. The other one is printed
inverted and can be read in a mirror placed in a lid behind the compass
capsule.
Examples of mirror compasses in this Museum:
- Survey & military compasses:
Breithaupt,
Brunton,
FPM,
Rossignol,
Winterer...
- Marching compasses:
Bézard,
Busch,
Doignon,
Cruchon
& Emons,
MORDAN,
Plan,
RECTA,
SILVA,
"S"
(C. Stockert)...
British compass type (see also
Mark 1, 2
etc.)
which was also in use in the French Army (see
F. BARKER & Son)
MK3A
Mark III models were built in Australia during WWII and also
from
1966 onwards in Australia by J.
W. Handley of Melbourne. They were designated MK3A. By 1966 the patents
had all run out and
Australia was
producing them for its own Military. See below at right the latest
Austr. version with two different NSN after replacement of Radium with
Tritium (note the abbrev. GILS in the center). India also
built MK3A models.
The
meaning of the abbreviations O.D.D. and O.F.D. is unknown.
Technical
Data: see BARKER - MK III (
Pictures
sent by
collectors)
The
compass type
called Modčle 1922 was utilized
within the French Army and Gendarmerie (road police) from its start
shortly after WW I as a successor for the
boussole
directrice utilized by
the infantrymen. It
appeared rather
late (late 1920's?) in the instructions manuals for
infantrymen (Manuel du gradé d'infanterie - see picture at
right - click to enlarge). Its typical
U
shape reminds strongly of the
BÉZARD
compass
(click on the link to open the
special chapter dedicated to
this system) by which it was
replaced after WWII but it
lacked its main features.
There was also a simple pocket version featuring the same design (see
at right and MORIN's pocket compasses).
Another marching compass made by
DOIGNON
was also
called Modčle 1922 although it was very different.
It was the basic design for the Polish KM32 (also called
MK32) first produced by
GERLACH,
then by
JEZNACKI
(check these names).
It was also used in Belgium's Army and Gendarmerie units from ...
until
...(?).
Read the complete user instruction of this instrument in the French
Army in the booklet
L'ORIENTATION
published by
Lavauzelle
(editor specialised in military documentation (
photocopies avalbl.).
The
Modčle 1922 compass as described in an instruction document
issued by the French Institut
Géographique
National (IGN, 1943). Its
dial features a fixed black marching
arrow like on the WWI pocket
compasses made by MORIN and LUFFT (see these categories).
Technical Data
- Material: aluminum
- Dimensions: 750 x 60 x 17 mm
- Weight: 100 gr
- External markings:
. On the hinge: Mle 1922 + manufacturer's name + S/No.
. On the lid: I.G.N or MG (Ministčre de la Guerre = War
Department)
- Ruler: 60 mm w/o figures
Other manufacturers: CRC, DLM, SECRETAN,
Sté des Lunetiers (S-L), GAUMONT
etc.
- Divisions: degrees, grades or MILS. Note: on the oldest version in
deg., the
declination was indicated by the letters NM
(nord magnétique).
Picture: Note
Technique sur
les BOUSSOLES (1931) |
Early
version
(DEMARIA-LAPIERRE)
Graduation: 6400 mils
Radium-compound paint arrow in the lid
|
Official
later
version (LEMAIRE)
Graduation: 400 grades (gons)
Below: drawing published in a doc. of the
French mil.
engineers
|
Model
751*
(1933-39)
- Bakelite case with a mirror cemented in the lid and a table made of
German silver
- Designer: Charles Collignon
- Manufacturer: Houlliot
- Transparent capsule base plate made of Rhodoid
- Radium markings (Société Française
d'Energie et
de
Radiochimie, 51-53 rue d'Alsace, Courbevoie).
The 1st bakelite case (supplied by Baldon located in Bezons) was
presented for acceptation on Dec. 12, 1933. Later, in the Kralastic casings
made after
1945, the mirror had to be fixed by 2 screws.
At
right: the prototype of
Model
750 used for design
registration in Jan. 1934:
Picture above right by courtesy of M. Collignon who also supplied us
with the
technical and historical data.
|
Model
850* (1950s-60s)
Version with aluminum table made of oxydised aluminum. The
case was made of a special plastic called Kralastic
treated
against static loading.
- Manufacturer: Collignon-Houlliot
This item also
existed
in a
military
version (6400 MILS).
* The model no. appear in internal
documents (price list) |
These
compasses
had depending on the client's choice a 400 grades, 360 deg. or
a 6400 MILS division but were all delivered with
a conversion table stowed in a slot
between the capsule
and the transparent case body. See on pic. below the scales D
(degrees), G (grades) and M (Mils) plus a 50 mm ruler.
One model featured a measuring device made of two scales
(degrees and percentage) for positive and a negative angle values.
Prodedure: holding the compass fully open by the lanyard, read
the
angle
value of a target (viewed in the sighting notch) on the opposite side
of
the scales printed on the lid. Compare to the Büchi
and Teleoptik
systems.
The
compass
capsule alone was also sold as a pocket compass (see LUFFT
no.
1950).
|
This prismatic
marching compass is described in a Japanese document.
The designation is taken from the file title:
Handling
Procedure for the Model 96 Carry-on Compass.
It looks like a standard British Mk III but is attached to a pouch or
box into which the prism is folded back. Unfortunately no pic
available. Link to a
3-side
view and the title page of the user instruction (full original document
available - translation in progress).
Drawing copyright
COMPASSIPEDIA
1 -
MOM (
Magyar
Optikai
Művek,
Hungarian Optical Works) was a Hungarian company founded in 1876
by
Süss
Nándor (1848-1921)
in the
University of Kolozsvár, 8 Mozsár
street, and first
named
Süss
Precíziós Mechanikai
Intézet
(Süss Precision Mechanics Institute). The company moved in
1900 to
9 Alkotás street and its name was changed to
MOM in
1939. MOM closed down in 1995. Its logo consisted of
the three letters "MOM" in a circle or the figure 41
(the company's code
during the
communist era). MOM built a
BÉZARD-type
compass which was larger than the first version made by Süss
Nándor (identical to the German version), just like the
Polish
K.M. 32 was
larger than the French
Modčle
1922. The original
version signed Süss
Nándor and dated 1930 featured the characteristic
dry needle with its disk-shaped south end. The later versions
featured a fluid-dampened needle. The older
models (before 1939) featured divisions with the zero facing south
(for details, go to the Technical Data),
a brass capsule casing and lid while the later ones are much
lighter: capsule casing and lid are made of aluminum.
Shape and material of the
attachment rings are also different. The
instrument was utilised exactly like the Bezard
UBK
with a 10 cm ruler. Earlier versions had an
elliptical mirror,
the later
ones had a round mirror covering the crystal and painted in
green camouflage
(click
HERE
for picture). This compass type is said to have been
issued to the
North-Vietnamese troops during the independance wars (fought first
against France, then against the USA) despite the language used for the
word DIRECTION (IRÁNY) and the cardinal points (see
MISCELLANEOUS).
It seems that MOM only built the military version. A small
version
identical to LUFFT's Model I was manufactured by
GAMMA.
The
first Süss aluminum version
(built 1930) was blue-grey coloured (dial: see image at
right).
Engraving on lid:
IRÁNY means
DIRECTION in Hungarian language.
Signature and logo:
Süss Nándor R. T. Budapest
Serial no.: 41868
Click
on images for enlarged
views |
Below:
Dial
of the early Bézard-type
dry-needle version (1930)
Below: The pre-WWII MOM
fluid- dampened version with a
red and white needle
The North marking (Észak - check Miscell. / Cardinal points
/
Hungar.) is facing the figure 3200 Mils like on
the older
Bézard compasses (late 1920's / early 1930's). This is also
the case on items signed "41". |
The
old Hungarian coat of arms on
the leather pouch
Click
on the picture for an
enlarged view
MOM's logo:
|
Technical
Data MOM 1939
- Dimensions: 80 x 70 x 20 mm
- Divisions: 6400 mils, counter clockwise, zero facing south
- Diameter: 55mm
- Weight: 285gr
- Ruler: 50mm
- Mirror shape: oval (Bézard-type)
- Inscriptions on the crystal:
39
M. TÁJOLÓ
(' Compass Model 1939' in Hungarian)
- Inscription on the lid: IRÁNY (direction)
- Materials:
. casing: bakelite, greenish
. lid: brass
. attachment loop: nickel (round)
- Inscriptions on casing reverse:
. MOM logo
. Serial No.: 8372 |
IRÁNY
= DIRECTION
The item was to be used with a ruler like the Bézard UBK and
had a round mirror covering the entire crystal and painted
green (click HERE
for picture). |
Dial
with the typical 6000 mils
divisions used in the Warsaw Pact (built after WWI, 1949)
|
Compared
shapes of the attachment
loops
(at left: the older model,
at right: the post 1949 model)
|
Technical
Data
Dimensions: see above
- Divisions: 6000 mils, clockwise, North facing zero
- Weight: 150 gr
- Materials:
. casing: bakelite, brownish-red
. lid: aluminium
. attachment loop: aluminum (partly egg-shaped)
- Inscriptions on casing base:
. 41 (plant code)
. Serial no.: 954557
- No more luminous paper arrow inside the lid |
2.
MOM also
built a simplified version of the famous British model Mark
III
(see F.
Barker)
after WWII but contrary to the genuine Mark III, this compass didn't
contain Radium-compound paint. The case is larger and it's a dry-needle
compass (
link to view dismantled).
This instrument features cardinals in Hungarian language but only K
(East), D (South) and Ny (West) where North (É) is indicated
by a
triangle of luminous paint. The needle is glued
under a rotating divided disc. The bottom of the capsule is
lined with
a
(formerly luminous?) yellow paint. On either side left and right when
looking
forward through the lid, are two slots (link to
photograph backlit)
which look like black dashes. These were
possibly used to align the case cardinals West and East (Ny and K) just
like the
white bar on the Bézard compasses parallel to the names of cities on
maps.
In addition, this instrument features a device for measuring
slope
angles. It consists of a tiny ball rolling freely in a groove. The
corresponding scale is printed on the glass and must be rotated so that
its ends match those of the groove. The zero is also the luminous line
on the glass. There is also a fork-shaped red
pointer located at 270°, the use of which is for the moment unknown. In
addition to the 360 degrees scale, the rotating disc features divisions
in 24 hours like the ancient survey compasses (examples: see
Breithaupt
or
Schablass,
s. Menue / Miscell. / Divisions / Hours).
The black versions feature the manufacturer's name (MOM
Budapest). The unpainted item probably belonged to an early or only
production
batch (
number 49 (link to pic) is punched
on a main part).
Dry
comnpass in a Mk III - type casing
|
Luninous
paint (no Radium compound)
Click on the images for
enlarged views |
Technical
Data
- Dimensions: Ř 68 mm, height 25 mm
- Divisions: 360° clockwise and 24 hours on rotating disc
- Clinometer: +/- 45°, ball in side groove, divisions on glass
- Marking: only a serial no.
|
|
Manufacturer's
logo: MOM Budapest
|
The
Budapest Museum for History (http://www.btm.hu/en/) owns a collection
of compasses and this model among others but due to their moving to
other premices, the curator cannot access them and give us more
information. |
S. Mordan & Co made mainly
Verner's
pattern
compasses during WW1. This item is called a mirror compass and is a
variation on a model
designed and produced by Cruchon & Emons and PLAN Ltd. in
Switzerland for the U.S. Corps of Engineers.
See also exhibits made by
French
Limited (F-L) and
Ed.
KOEHN
for examples of Verner's pattern Mk VII and VIII.
(Click
on the pictures for
enlarged view) |
|
|
Technical
Data
- Diameter: 54mm
- Depth: 21mm
- Weight: 150gr
- Card material: synthetics, transparent
- Case inside coating: radium paint
- Date: 1915 |
Former French retailer (for more information, click
HERE).
See also the categories Survey & Artillery compasses, Nautical
compasses and Pocket compasses
MORIN
proposed in the 1960's a
civilian version of the Modčle
1922 made first of bakelite then
of plastic (see
details above) manufactured by COLLIGNON.
Morin had this picture printed in the greatest French Encyclopedia Larousse
(ed. 1968)!
|
The
compass also called boussole
directrice
in the Morin catalogue 1930 (see
picture at right) is described in the department of Pocket compasses
(entry MORIN)
because of its shape and some similarities with other instruments (see
LUFFT,
BUSCH etc.) although it is a marching compass as far as its function is
concerned.
It was the standard compass of the French WW1 soldiers. |
Click on the image to jump at the MORIN pocket compasses entry |
- N -
Norddeutsche
Elektro-Akustik Gesellschaft, Kaufhold
K.-G., Berlin SO 36, Oranienstr. 185. During WWII the confidential
three-letter-code was
cjy.
Standard
marching compass of the
German Wehrmacht Soldiers. Techn. descr.: s. BREITHAUPT.
Pictures
courtesy Jaypee - private coll.
Former British Company (for more information click
HERE)
N & Z built large instruments for ships. A Verner's pattern Mk
IV
prismatic compass like the next item (Newton & Co.) but bearing
N
& Z 's signature is also known.
Newton & Co. was a British manufacturer (more
information
HERE).
It seems that
this company produced the earliest
Verner's
pattern
prismatic
compass
known to date.
It was designated
Mark
IV
and featured
a mother
of pearl card with a single row of figures.
See also Pocket compasses.
Click
on the pictures
for enlarged views
(Pictures by courtesy of Steven Wiggins) |
|
Technical
Data
- Materials: brass case, mother of pearl card
- Divisions: 360 deg.
- Dimensions (dia. x depth): 53 x 16mm
- Weight: 130gr
- Markings: Manufacturer's name on lid, no. 160 on prism protection and
the figures IV and 46 on the base, alongside the British Army's crow's
foot symbol
|
Albert NIEDERMANN was a Swiss inventor. He patented several
systems, two of which were produced by
BÜCHI
(see above).
Orientierungskompass
Patent no. 152,634 (1932)
Click
on images for enlarged views
|
Orientierungskompass
Patent no. 199,512 (1937)
|
Orientierungskompass
Patent no.
234,145 (1944)
|
Diopterfreie
Orientierungsbussole
(compass
without sights)
Swiss patent no.
376.280 (1964)
This instrument was never built.
|
Magnetnadeldose mit
Flüssigkeitsfüllung zur Dämpfung der
Magnetnadelschwingungen
Niedermann filed in 1940 a patent (swiss no. 165,879) for a fluid
capsule (Membranfensterdose)
which was sued by the Swedish makes Instrumentfabriks-Lyth
and Svenska Elektro-Industri Co. because it infringed the rights of
their own patent (Swiss no. 193.664). Niedermann's solution was
described in 1943 in a new patent
(no. 228.002): the adaption of the capsule's volume to the variations
caused by pression and temperature changes was ensured by the side
walls and not by the base or the top glass (s. drawings at right).
|
Fig.
in the patent (click on
the image
for a
view of the complete description and a handcoloured drawing by
Niedermann dated 1940)
|
NIFE is the name of a Swedish-owned company that
made Nickel Iron (Ni-Fe) batteries in the 20s and 30s in England.
We were told by a SILVA representative that this compass type was made
by a company called
A/B Lyth,
and based on a design by Gunnar
Tillander. We
don't know which kind of relationship existed between NIFE and A/B
Lyth.
It was also built in a different version (with mirror in the
lid) by
SILVA.
It
was one of the first fluid dampened marching
compasses (apart from F. BARKER & Son's prismatic
liquid Mk
III). This item was built in the 30's (this item is marked
1933) and features the typical Swedish division of 6300
Mils
(streck) division. Note: Sweden was the only country worldwide to
utilise compasses with a 6300 mils. division.
In the lid, where the brand name NIFE and the word Patent appear, is
only a line of luminous paint but no mirror (compare with SILVA's and
LYTH's versions).
(Click
on the images for enlarged views) |
Above left: Provisional version
with three windows marked Patent
Sökt (Pat. pending)
Right: final version (193)
|
Technical
Data
- Materials: bakelite, steel
- Needle dampening: by fluid
- Divisions: 6300 mils, clockwise.
The North's red mark is exactly located on the figure 63. Cardinal
points for W and E in Swedish: V-Ö.
- Dimensions: 70 x 68 x 20mm
- Weight: 210gr
- Serial no.: 44
|
Raffaelo Nistri (read OMI in Aero Compases) was an
Italian engineer. He filed in 1956 a patent (
Swiss
issue no. 314952) for a marching compass.
The former East Germany's army Nationale Volksarmee (NVA) used a
training poster featuring a compass made by Freiberger
Präzisionsmechanik (FPM).
View
of the poster for military training
- O -
NV Ltd OBSERVATOR was a Dutch manufacturer located in
Rotterdam, created
in 1924, bought by Kelvin Hughes in 1996 (read in WIKIPEDIA:
John Lilley &
Gillie). They produced also other
instruments like sextants and ships compasses (see this category).
Holland's version of the famous Mk III
model (s. F. Barker & Son)
Pictures
by courtesy of G.
Ralph
|
Click
on the images for enlarged views
|
Technical
Data
Divisions: 360°, cardinals in Dutch language (Z = Zuid = south)
S/N: 691 D
Marking (on back):
NV
OBSERVATOR ROTTERDAM |
O.I.P. is the abbreviated name of -----.
They signed a Barker Mk III type compass issued to the
Duchy of Luxemburg's troops and marked
A.L (Armée du Luxemburg).
Optikotechna was a Czech manufacturer of Přerov. Its logo was a
T in what seems
to be a circle but is in fact the letter
O (
see pic. at r.) or
a
vertical
bar in a circle. This logo also appears
on
the face of other compasses (
link to pic.).
They produced during WWII
optics instruments for the German
army, notably binoculars. After WWII,
Optikotechna was nationalized
and renamed MEOPTA in
1946.
For more information click on
the image at right to access the BÉZARD chapter and scroll down to
Imitations / Czech
Former Czechoslovakian company producing mainly cameras (brand name
OPTOS MORAVIA)
located in aus Prostějov (former name Prossnitz in Moravia).
Historical
records: 1938-1953. This instrument features all typical
characteristics of the small
Bézard-type
compass (model I, w/o mirror).
The only design difference is the arrow on the lid below the
word RICHTUNG (Direction) where it is superimposed on the genuine LUFFT
compasses. The West-East (W-O) line is meant to be aligned with the
city names on the maps so that the side ruler can be oriented according
to a desired marching direction without having to orientate it.
|
Contrary to LUFFT's Bézard design, the arrow and the word
RICHTUNG (direction) are separated.
|
Technical
Data
- Case material: aluminum
- Divisions: 6400 mils, counterclockwise
- Dimensions: 70 x 58 x 13mm
- Weight: 55g
The magnetic declination marker consists of an aliminum tag
attached to the frame. The crystal can rotate within the frame to adapt
to different declinations.
The pictures show the Model no. 5020. The model no. 5021
featured a mirror like the small Bézard IS.
(Click
on images for enlarged views) |
|
|
The
transit lock
system is unique: a cam rod concealed inside the casing and actuated by
the closing of the lid depresses the lever raising the magnetic needle.
Pics at left: Views of the box and the user instructions.
(Photocopies
available)
|
ORION
ORION was the model name of a KRÖPLIN marching compass.
P - Q
Former
German Company located in Fürth near Nuremberg. It was bought
by
WILKIE on Dec. 31. 1972 (for more information click
HERE).
PASTO built KÜHRT's only model but somewhat smaller and with
numerous detail modifications. He also built (after WWII) a model
identical to one of the standard German
soldiers' compasses, with and without mirror. He eventually produced
but
in very small quantities a light-weight compass called 206 S, similar
to the famous British Mark III prismatic compasses.
Pic
at right: PASTO's
logo
See also Pocket compasses.
This compass name designated several pocket compasses (check this
category) and was here used for a SILVA Boy / Girl scout compass. Click
on the image at right to see the information on the box door and its
content: No. 1051 / SILVA-SYSTEM COMPASS.
Emil Perman was an inventor living apparently in Stockholm.
He filed in 1914 in imperial Germany a patent
(no. 304765, link to page 1) for a marching compass featuring
a mirror hinged below a transparent casing. However, the patent was
publisehd only after the end of the First World War in 1918 ! The
principle was later re-used by several makers like WILKIE.
PLAN Ltd was a Swiss company. The manufacturer was
propably the
renowned
watch and clock
maker
David
Perret fils
(PLAN watches) located in Neuchatel's Plan quarter (there is a
street named "rue du Plan"). The company was founded
in 1854. David died in 1908
but the firm continued with
his son.
Probably already before WWI, PLAN built the following marching compass
(maybe) for
the Swiss Army. It has a double graduation featuring twice the scale
0-32 (i.e. 6400
mils altogether). This can also be observed on the older
BÜCHI
artillery level called
Sitometer.
Model
c. 1910 ?
(Click on image for detailed view of dial) |
View closed: the company's name is engraved
on the upper hinge fitting (see
pic. at right)
GOERZ built
a
compass with a comparable design
|
Technical
Data
- Diameter: 55mm
- Depth: 17mm
- Weight: 100gr
- Divisions: 2 x 3200 mils
|
PLAN Ltd also built
mirror
compasses
for
the U.S. armed forces during WWI (see also
Cruchons &
Emons and
Argentina's
Army). A version without military markings is known. It
features cardinal points in German language (O = Ost = east)
but no radium-compound luminous paint
(link
to picture).
The patent was filed by the Swiss clock maker
LONGINES
but only at
the end of WW1 (August 1918). Compare with the
Abercrombie
& Fitch
(A & F) version. This item
was called
Position
Finding Compass in a flyer
(see pic below, at right
)
and
Sighting
compass in an ad (for
picture go to Cruchon & Emons).
For Instruction and 'Rules to be observed':
CLICK HERE
(and enjoy the humoristic wording of rule no. 2...)
All documents available in fac-simile quality in the shop.
WWI
mirror compass
|
The arrow-shaped lubber's line on the crystal was only a short
thick line on the C. & E. version. The Argentina Army's version
featured cardinals in Spanish language |
The mirror was a polished disk made of steel. The sighting hole
was arrowhead-shaped but the A. & F.
version featured a round hole. |
Technical
Data
- Diameter: 54mm
- Depth: 18mm
- Weight: 150gr
(Pic. above courtesy K. Takacs) |
Square protractor/Romer scale (click
HERE
for explanations)
Square protractor - c.
1935 ?
(Click
for
enlarged view) |
The
item with user instructions and pouch
|
Technical
data
- Side length: 4 in / 100 mm
- Compass thickness: 7 mm
- Divisions: 6400 mils counter- clockwise, cardinals only on
compass
- String for measuring angles on maps
- For maps with scale 1/100,000.
Fotocopies
of
instr. available
|
Polish version of the Russian
Red
Army's model AK.
Click
on the image for an
enlarged view
|
Technical
Data
- Dimensions: 75 x 55 x
20 mm
- Divisions: 6000 mils, clockwise, cardinal points
in
Polish language (see Miscell./Card. pts.)
- The central white bar is located on the N-S axis whereas it was
located on the E-W axis on the WWII German compasses (see also FPM).
- Illumination: Radium
compound (link to pic., similar
to AK model) |
The prismatic compass was first invented by
Henry Kater
in 1811
and
improved one year later by C. A.
Schmalcalder.
One of the first and most famous prismatic compasses was a compass type
called
Verner's
pattern. Another famous system
is the one patented by Captn
Creagh-Osborne
featuring a large prism located on the opposite side of the
dial,
allowing the reading of the instrument when held in the hand or
attached to the wrist at about 1 or 1-1/2 ft from the eye.
Prismatic compasses usually have like the
mirror
compasses
a double
row of divisions on their card: one is printed in normal figures so
that angle values can be read with the naked eye directly from above.
The other one is printed inverted and can be read with much higher
precision through the optical prism. The very thin sighting line seen
above the magnified card's rim gives a precision of at least one third
of
a degree.
Like on
General
Peigné's compass
system,
the card's movement can be slowed down by means of a small device,
described as follows in the user's instructions:
"A check-spring plunger is fitted on the left side of the box near the
hinge for the purpose of checking the oscillations of the dial when
observing."
Other prismatic compasses displayed in this Museum:
- Wrist compasses:
Creagh
Osborne
- Survey compasses:
F.
Barker & Son,
Hutchinson,
Th.
Jones,
K&R,
Lawes
Rabjohns,
M1918,
Wichmann,
Wilkie
...
- Marching compasses:
F.
Barker & Son,
F-L
(French
Ltd.),
Ed. Koehn,
PASTO,
Stanley,
T.G.
Co. Ltd London...
This compass is a G150 model originally made by
Stanley. It was
delivered together with a different
Nato Stock Number than the Barker Models (follow the links to
view pictures).
- R -
This compass resembles the famous Modčle 1922 (see
above)
but it is
integrated
in a wooden box and bears the words "RADIO MIL
RE"
(militaire).
We suppose that it was used to orientate a directional radio emitter or
receiver. Although unsigned, the typical engraving shows that
it was manufactured by Houlliot in the 1930's.
|
|
Technical
Data
- Dimensions: 148 x 50 x 15mm
- Weight: 135gr
|
The French company
Société
Nouvelle du Radium
was created in 1907 by Jacques DANNE (who was an assistant in
the
laboratoire
Pierre CURIE and
deceased in 1919). It was located in Gif-sur-Yvette (source:
internet)
and was the first industrial plant
world-wide to supply this material.
A compound* made of copper-doped zinc sulfide
(ZnS+Cu) and Radium (
226Ra)
reacted by emitting a greenish light. When the zinc sulfide
was "burnt out" (after c.30-50 years), it turns
orange (see
below dial of the DOLLOND compass) but the Radium remains
radioactive for many hundred years (its half-life is 1602 years).
Captain Creagh-Osborne filed in 1915 a
patent
(no.
110.203,
link
to picture) dealing with
radium-based luminous markings on compasses. This
compound was utilised for the figures and markings on aircraft
instruments, watches and compasses from WWI on until the late 1950's.
Another patent (
no.
117,641, 1917, H. E. Julyan and E. C. Weilbach, link to
pic.) describes a solution with a single source of illumination under
the floating card on which the markings are perforated. See examples
below.
ATTENTION DANGER - HEALTH HAZARD
Read in Wikipedia
The
radium Girls and
more information on the web site
Vintage Watch
Straps.
* For proportions read the minutes
of a meeting held on Dec. 9, 1915
in the premises of
the Admiralty's Compass Observatory,
p. 43.
User instruction for applying the Radium paint compound
(Pictures
of
cells 1-3 were sent by a visitor who requested to remain
unnamed) |
Vials containing powder produced by the Société
Nouvelle du Radium |
Box containing vials wrapped in lead and painting tools
(brushes and pots).
The dosimeter indicates a dosis of c.95µSv/hr,
i.e. 1000
times the level of natural ambiant radioactivity (0,09µSv/h).
|
The French WWI standard marching compass called Boussole directrice:
1,7µSv/hr |
DOLLOND marching compass (1916):
4 millirem/hr |
Aircraft compass designed by Creagh-Osborne, Pattern 259
(1917):
2,84µSv/hr
|
British Army wrist compass
(abt. 1956): 1,32µSv/hr
|
The DOLLOND compass dial turned orange |
Document supplied by the French compass maker HOULLIOT: Page
1 of
the Job Card indicating the operations needed to manufacture the
standard WWI compass. The heading reads: Boussole au radium fond
ŕ cercle / Directrice fond tournant ŕ
flčche 55 mm
(1911) |
Leaflet about the German
BÉZARD compasses (1913) mentioning the markings made with
Radium-compound paint (in red frame) and a pic. showing the visibility
in full
darkness.
|
Wrist compass made by F. Barker & Son: catalogue dated
c.1920
|
German WWII compass made by Breithaupt (hap) :
0,87 µSv/h
Red Army compass:
1,09 µSv/h |
PROFILE - RECORD was a Swiss clock maker who also built in the 30's a
very uncommon compass type. It had been designed and patented
by Jakob Leutenegger (living in Basle) in 1933 (
no.
CH-160.792).
The two opposite mirrors reflect a non inverted view of the compass
rose.
Few items were produced so it is now quite rare (for
more information click
HERE).
ARMEE-MARSCH-VISIER-KOMPASS
(Military Field and Sighting Compass)
NOTE: the words "Armee-Marsch etc." (or their translation) are not
engraved on the export version.
|
User instr. in French (short version: 1 p.)
(Photocopies
of all documents can be ordered)
|
Technical
Data
- Casing Material: aluminum (German version) or steel (French version)
- Dimensions: 148 x 50 x 15 mm
- Weight: 135 g (alum.) / 250 gr (steel)
- Height (mirrors erected): 75 mm
- Ruler (on the right-hand side): 120 mm
- A luminous dot on the ring allowed for fixing a bearing. Cardinal
points in German. Red lubber line on a glass plate over the compass
rose. Both mirrors can be blocked by a notch at respectively
90° and 45°.
User instr. in German (4 p., distinct versions for Germany and
Switzerland)
|
PROFILE - Former Swiss company, now subsidiary of the Finnish SUUNTO
(for more information click
HERE).
View of a flyer in French probably dating back to the 1950's: click
HERE.
Matchbox-style compass model DP: This is one of the very first DP
models. It was built in 1942 within
one year after production started (serial number 01377)
This basic version (see patent at right) was improved in 1955 to add a
means to change the setting in accordance with the local magnetic
declination (link to fig of patent no. 333971). |
Technical
Data
- Divisions: 6400 Mils
- Material: aluminium case
- Dimensions: 65 x 46 x 19 mm
- Weight: 100 gr
S/N - Years of production:
No. 00001 - 07221 = 1942;
No. 07222 - 17383 = 1943;
No. 17384 - 38241 = 1944
This basic model was followed by the model DP5 used by the Swiss army
until 1980. It was followed by the model DP6 which is still in use to
day.
Fig. as shown in the patent filed by the inventor Eric VAUCHER. |
DP2 model used in the federal Austrian Army
At right under the heraldic eagle of Austria's coat-of-arms: BH 20. BH
is the abbreviation for BUNDESHEER (federal army), not to be mistaken
for the German BUNDESWEHR, which means federal
defense forces
(Click
on the picture for an enlarged view)
|
User instructions of the
Swiss Army (copies of the German and
French version available)
|
|
|
|
MODEL
DESIGNATION: DS 56
Technical Data
- Dimensions: 100 x 65 x 18 mm
|
PROFILE - Compass type featuring a small hinged silver mirror located
between the lid and the crystal. Two versions are known: a simple basic
one with a casing that has many
similarities with one
version of the Magnapole pocket compass signed by Short & Mason
(dimensions,
screws for the sighting window, thumb loop, transit lock). Engravings
"THE REFLECTOR COMPASS" and
PATENT APPLIED FOR C.F.R. where
the abbrev, stands for
C.
F. Ryland.
The other one features an additional rear sight, a divisions ring with
luminous reference on a rotating disc (see also Creagh-Osborne) and a
fluid-dampened card. It's apparently a
modified
Service Pattern Liquid Prismatic Compass designed by F. Barker and Son
in 1910. The engraving on the mirror's rear
side reads 11787/15.
(Click
on the pictures for enlarged views)
|
|
Model Name: THE REFLECTOR
COMPASS
Design/Manufacturer: C.F.R. (see next row)
Retailer's signature on the casing's underside:
G. C. BATEMAN Opticians, Reading and Branches
Technical Data
- Dimensions: (dia. x height): 50 x 20mm
- Material: casing: brass, mirror, silver
- The mirror rotates with the bezel
- Divisions: 360°, radium paint North arrow
- Divisions on casing: degrees and cardinals
The small mirror is described in
S. Lawrence's patent no.
24,792 (compare with Cruchon
& Emons and also PLAN Ltd).
|
|
|
Technical
Data
- Dim.: 48 x 26 mm
- Card design: Service pattern, Radium paint.
- Additional rear sight and divisions ring on top of the case
rim, rotating ring with luminous marker.
- On the mirror's rear face: the patent
no.
11787/15
filed by Charles Frederick RYLAND (CFR), 109, Saint Michaels Road,
Aldershot,
Jeweller's Salesman, (6
pages, photocopy available).
- Manufacturer unknown (maybe F. Barker & S.). Sold by JUNIOR,
ARMY AND NAVY STORES Ltd. a
company formed in 1871 and established 1879 (read the compl. history in
Wikipedia)
|
PROFILE
- This instrument was designated AK (artillery compass) in the Russian
Army. It is
almost identical to the WWII German
Marschkompass
(MK) made among other manufacturers by
Breithaupt,
Busch etc. This design was probably copied after the Sovietunion had
occupied East-Germany (GDR) and produced by
FPM.
Two versions are known: a military one
with 6000 Mils
and a civilian one with 360 deg. divisions.
See also the Polish version (above).
Red
Army's Model AK
Click
on the images for
enlarged views
|
Drawing
from the book Directory
of military survey materiel (1973,
click on the drawing for a comprehensive description)
|
Civilian
Model
|
Technical
Data
- Dimensions: 75 x 55 x
20 mm
- Divisions: 6000 mils or 360 deg., clockwise, cardinal points
in
Russian language (see Miscell./Card. pts.)
- The central white bar is located on the N-S axis whereas it is
located on the E-W axis on the WWII German compasses (see also FPM).
- Transit lock: automatic when closing the lid
- Illumination: Radium
compound (link to pic., military
version only)
Visit also the
website Topographical Orienteering with Map
|
CONT'D