Transparent Pocket Compass Click on the image to see the full page of the patent figures |
Contrary
to all known compasses, the rotating divided disc (beige in drawing at
right) and the marching
direction pointer (red) are here attached to the needle cap 4,
Fig.
1. The latter can
be locked in two different ways: either partly, to set only a marching
course or entirely, to set the magnetic needle (blue) to a new
deviation
value. According to the description, the disc and
the pointer can be clamped via the transit lock 29
and
the screw 19, Fig. 1 & 3, located in the centre of the upper
glass. The magnetic needle can then be rotated via the bezel while
observing its north end through the slot 22, Fig. 2. |
Colour drawing © Compassipedia |
 Vertical
longitudinal section - The annular magnet 106 is located between the
two lower plates 104. Parts 68 & 105: dented wheels
for declination
setting; 24 &
44: dented wheels for setting the marching course arrow; 42
& 142: rod and tube to knob 108 (see pic at right).
HD pic. can be enlarged by clicking on img. |
A
further dedvelopment of this idea is explained in the next patent (CA 1938 no. 377,302 and FR 1938 no. 823.759)
which describes an extremely complicated fluid-filled system. In some
aspects it also predates the simplified following
one below. The three basic components of a compass were superimposed:
on top, the marching course arrow (disc 100), in the middle, the
divided circle
(disc 102) and then the ring-shaped magnet (compare to the French
Duchemin nautical compass). It is not known whether such a magnet could
move the whole assembly (see pic. at left) and if any skilled
watchmaker could really manufacture
such delicate parts in a highly resistent steel and at which
cost. In any case, the
resulting price would have exceeded all known cases. Below: Simplified
shaft 42 / 142 in versions at r. and thereafter. |
 Horizontal section of the head part showing the rotatable central button and the pushbutton 158 on the left side for unlocking the declination gear |
 Click on the image to see the entire page with the patent figures |
Another patent issued in 1941 (GB no. 537,003, link to p. 1, US no. 2,274,073) describes a simplified version of the above one. It is a transparent pocket compass made of two identical plastic halves filled with a fluid and featuring expansion chambers. On the picture at r. the disc is strangely divided into 180 units! However, it is not specified how the marching direction arrow described as being located inside the casing and rotatable together with the card and magnet, can be adjusted and the transit lock actuator is supposedly rendered watertight via "a thin layer of sealing means such as an adhesive" (between parts 38 and 34). This seems to work only in theory. No other fluid compass features a transit lock inside the fluid capsule. |  Dimensions: 80 x 65 mm |
  Pictures courtesy Jan Henning L'Abée-Lund |
L'Abée-Lund
moved to Switzerland in 1950 and lived there for the rest of his life.
His grand-son transmitted us pictures of instruments made there. They
don't feature internal parts like magnets or locking device so that we
suppose that these were prototypes only produced for
registering the various designs. At left : transparent civilian model marked SYSTEM L'ABÉE-LUND / PATENTS, divisions: 180 "double degrees" (?). View of the two superimposed discs: marching course arrow and divided circle. Consistent with the description in the patent, the marching course arrow would be set by pulling the black button and the declination could be changed by pushing it after releasing a lock. At right: Bakelite military model, divisions: 6300 MILS (Sweden's army), +/- 30 deg. declination scale. |
 Note the arrowhead featuring a hand-shaped pointer and the loop similar to Fig. 3 above. |
 |
In
1952 L'Abée-Lund wrote a
draft for a comprehensive description of this compass. Attached to it
was a photograph of a transparent instrument (at left)
on which bubbles in the compensation chambers can be seen. One of the
discs features four cut-outs. It is maybe the disc 104 supporting the
ring-shaped magnet 106 in the Canadian patent, Fig. 1. The document (click on the image at right for excerpts) comprises several chapters. Technical Data: Divisions: 360 degrees, clockwise Dimensions: 67 x 88 x 16 mm Weight: 75 gr |
 |
  Pictures courtesy A. Coubard (l.) and M. Collignon (r.) |
 Click on the pictures for enlarged view of the full page |
 Click on the pictures for enlarged view of the full page |
 Pictures by courtesy of M. Mendes |
 Click on the images for enlaged views |
Technical
Data Dia.: ca. 50 mm Thickness: ca. 15 mm Divisions : four quadrants Marking: LEPPIN & MASCHE - BERLIN S.O. |
Unknown
manufacturer. A similar design appears on a disc that could be a medal
or a compass dial (link to image courtesy B. Sutton)
- the rest of which is lost - and which was maybe partly coated with a
thick layer of paint or enamel. This picture symbolises the extension
of the United States in all directions contrary to the North vs. South
division of the cessation war.
 (Photo Dennis Honor - Click on the picture for an enlarged view) |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 49 mm - Depth: 12 mm - Weight: 55 gr |
 Pictures courtesy Will Parsons (Click for enlarged views) |
 The rear face made of tortoise shell |
Technical
Data - Case diameter = 43 mm - Dial face dia. = 39 mm - Case depth = 13 mm - Neck (not incl. loop) = 12 mm - Weight: 50g Note the tiny arrow below NNW indicating the declination: (ca. 23.5° W = 1790, London)  |
German
company located near Stuttgart (for more information click HERE) |
Tin
model 330
(c. 1910) Side and rear view (G. LUFFT - STUTTGART)   The
museum's collection also
comprises a brass model in the size of the tin model, built in a
leather strap (see
Wrist compasses)
|
Brass
model
330 (c. 1930) Technical Data (tin model) - Diameter: 50 mm - Depth: 12 mm - Weight: 48 g Technical Data (brass model) - Diameter: 40 mm - Depth: 10 mm - Weight: 35 g |
 MARCHING COMPASS catalogue no. 1745 (Compare with BUSCH's "RADIA" model) |
Tin
model, WW
I
 Engraving on rear side: EIGENTUM DER HEERESVERWALTUNG (propriety of the Army's Administration) This
compass is very
similar to
the BUSCH compass no. 3348 "RADIA": only the position of the needle
transit lock and the needle's shape differ.
Technical Data - Diameter: 50 mm - Depth: 12 mm - Weight: 65 g - Magnet needle: lozenge-shaped |
Brass
model,
1930 Rear side: 16 JR 41 (16. Jägerregiment)  Technical
Data
- Diameter: 40 mm - Depth: 10 mm - Weight: 44 g A self-luminescent radium zinc sulfide paint compound was applied on the case bottom under the face featuring a rose of winds with cut-away cardinals through which the luminous paint glowed. Needle and marching course arrow are also coated with a self-luminescent paint compound. |
|
A
version of
the marching compass with a luminous cardboard rose in a brass body
 |
The
user'
instructions |
Technical
Data
- Divisions 6400 mils, counterclockwise - Diameter: 45 mm - Depth: 13 mm - Weight: 26 g |
 No. 1950 with glass bottom. |
 No. 1950 with transparent bottom (see also Collignon, mod. 946 / 948) |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 50 mm - Depth: 12 mm - Weight: 47 g - Divisions: 400 grades Export version export from France (Houlliot). In the 1950's-60's, the French company MORIN sold the compass type Modèle 1922 based on the same principles: transparent bottom and arrow point on the black rim. It was then made by Collignon-Houlliot. |
 Nr.
1745 S (with
swivel case)
This compass dial design also appears in a BUSCH catalog (model Radia). Manufacturer: C. Stockert |
 Model no. 1950 with swivel case like no. 1745 S  |
 Technical Data - Dimensions: 67 x 54 x 15 mm - Weight: 83 g - Divisions: 400 grad/gon - Manufacturer : Houlliot |
 |
(Click
on picture below for enlarged view) At least two different sizes were available:  |
'Tourist'
compass No. 440 D (the letter D stands for the German word Deckel, i.e. lid) Concerning the German word "Tourist" in the 1930s and in East Germany (GDR) after WWII, see MISCELLANEOUS / Terminology. Technical Data Brass compass - Diameter: 40mm - Depth: 14mm - Weight: 35gr |
 Model No. 1540 |
 Design differs slightly from the picture (compare with the MORIN, fig. 51 below). |
Technical
Data Material: steel/silver-plated - Diameter: 35 mm - Depth: 12 mm - Weight: 30 g - Punch inside lid: D 35 |
 Basic model no. 1745 (Compare with MORIN's Boussole Directrice fig. 1235, next item) |
 Model no. 2745 D (the letter D is for the German word Deckel, lid) User Instructions printed in France (with typos!) by the French manufacturer Houlliot. |
 S/No.: 36 Technical
Data
- Diameter: 46mm - Depth: 14mm - Weight: 60gr Appears also in a 1910 STOCKERT catalog (No. 821) |
 Click on picture for enlarged view |
 |
 |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 46mm - Height: 15mm - Radium-compound paint markings |
 Click on picture for enlarged view |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 38mm - Height: 16mm |
COMPARISON MERIT / SEL Pictures by courtesy H. Waldmann |
 Click on picture for enlarged view |
Vesta
case  (Pictures petra40cat) |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 48 mm - Length (with loop): 70 mm - Depth: 17 mm - Weight: 29,7 gr  |
 1930 MORIN catalogue with short user instr. (Click on pictures for enlarged views) |
 Model no. 9194, fig. 1235 This
compass type
featured civilian (360 deg.), geodesic (400 grades) or
military divisions (6400 mils). This one also features large
dash-shaped self-luminescent
radium paint compound markings.
|
 There were many different transport cases and pouches for this compass type (metallic and leather). We display some of them below. See also Muller & Vaucher Technical Data - Diameter: 52 mm - Depth: 10 mm - Weight: 48 g. |
 |
 |
Technical
Data
(as above) - Divisions: 6400 mils. - Case: aluminium, guilloché back plate (see definition under MISCELLANEOUS). This museum also has another one wih a brass case. - Compass dial: brushed (silver-coated ?) for better light reflectivity. It reflects light in the dark like the mother-of-pearl cards used by british compass makers. - FRENCH ARMY's USER INSTRUCTION: La boussole du soldat en campagne. The signature "Cne P. D." stands for Capitaine Paul Delcroix (photocopy available). |
 |
 Side view of transit lock |
Technical Data Identical to the marching compass Model 1922 but w/o the bakelite casing with protection lid. |
| Brass
casing
with hinged lid Belgium's Army |
 |
 |
 |
 |
  Technical Data Special device for the cavalry. It was attached to the saddle and comprised a clip and a compass pocket with a concealed flap on the other side. |
 |
 |
Technical
Data (compass: see above) The flap has a magnifying glass so that the rider can read the compass indication while seated upright in the saddle.  |
 |
 |
Model
catalogue no.
100, fig. 51 Technical Data - Diameter: 42 mm - Depth: 12 mm - Weight: 35 g |
|
Aluminum
case featuring a patented transit locking device.
- Divisions: 4 x 90 deg.; cardinals: German or French; Magnetic declination: line of luminous paint on the transit lock flat bar. A special version displayed under the north N instead of the mention PAT. + 1916 a thin Latin cross over a letter S probably symbolizing the constellation Southern Cross (Crux). Compare to the French version (no. 2 in catalogue).  
Existed also signed RECTA (see further
down on this page)
Click on images for enlarged views - Pic. at r. courtesy Th. Steffen 
Detailed view of the transit locking lever end |
The
figure 71481 engraved on the rear face together with the Helvetic
cross is the patent number dated 1916 cited on the front face.
This
patent describes the locking mechanism of the magnet needle featuring
a rod sliding inside the pendant to activate a lever (see
below, centre pic.):
  Click on the drawing for an enlarged view Photocopies of patent and catalogues available |
The
same
dial design was also used on compasses without
paint on the cardinals and featuring a conventional transit
lock (side lever). The blue pouch was used during WWI by French soldiers for their Boussole Directrice (with 6400 Mils division). It contained also the official Charles-Lavauzelle protractor. Pics below: Versions with 6400 Mils divisions in the pouch and 360 deg. on leather lanyard. The first magnetic needle was arrow-shaped but later lozenge-shaped.   Another model featured a 400 grades div. and a red marching course arrow (link to picture). |
|
Officer's compass (called
Ordonnanzboussole in a Büchi catalogue)  Click on the images for enlarged views |
This model featuring a floating card existed also with a
standard needle (follow the link
for a picture).
 |
These
M. & V.
catalogues* were sent to Mr. Houlliot (note by hand on the left page). The item no. 12 is described in the section Wrist compasses.  * Kindly donated to Compassipedia by M. Collignon |
 Open
face compass
(compare with the hunter case made by BILAND). The needle rotates
between the face and an S-shaped
transverse bar so that the major part of it is always to be
seen. The crystal has a metallic frame.
The
letters N and S
on the needle had each one two radium paint dots but at different
places: at each end of the S but at the lower ends of the N, so that
they couldn't be mistaken.
(Click on picture for enlarged view) |
 Manufacturer's name and address: Ulysse NARDIN, LOCLE & GENÈVE  The
manufacturer's
monogramme reads: a-B-c
(?) where the
uppercase 'B' most probably stands for BILAND
who has signed a compass showing the same monogramme.
|
Technical
Data - Diameter: 42 mm - Depth: 6 mm - Weight: 33 g Two patent numbers are indicated: 76117 for France and 83025 for Switzerland (these numbers have probably been re-used because they now refer to vapour machine systems). |
Box compass, early 19th c., brass case: dia. 47mm. Pictures courtesy Howard Sandys |
 Box compass, early 19th c., wooden case, two sizes are known: dia. 62 and 23mm |
Sundial
signed NEGELEIN at NUREMBERG in BAVARIA  |
  By pulling a cylindrical support out of the case, the compass card moves freely in the gimbals. |
 The original compass as shown in a F. Barker catalogue |
 The compass card is made of mother of pearl with black paint |
 |
Liquid
miniature spring hunter cased compass, branded N&Z London
inside
the lid (not their own production) Technical Data - Dim.: case diameter 37.8mm, thickness closed 12.9mm; dial diameter 19.2mm. - Fluid dampened mother of pearl card in a capsule with 6 screws (compare with BARKER's Unicus versions) |
 |
Identical to the model displayed in the BARKER article but featuring NEGRETTI & ZAMBRA LONDON printed in the centre. |
 Dial: F. Barker's RGS design |
 |
 Negretti
und Zambra's
maker punch: N&Z. Three hallmarks on the Sterling case.
Passant, Lion face and "P" date
stamp for 1910.
(Click on the picture for an enlarged view) |
Technical
Data (approx.) - Diameter: 25 mm - Depth: 18 mm - Weight: 25 g The compass card is the one of the SCOUTING compass model made by F. Barker (see above). (Pictures courtesy L. Kneller) |
 (Click on the pictures for enlarged views) |
 Pictures TML |
Technical
data - Diameter: 54 mm |
 (Click on the picture to view the gimbal) |
 (Click on the picture for a detailed view) Pictures TML |
Technical
data - Diameter (compass bowl): 54 mm - Case diameter: 85mm - Case height: 55mm - Dial diameter: 48mm, mother of pearl, SINGER's patent design - Weight: 380g - Case material: wood covered in Morocco leather and lined in green velvet - Compass bowl moves on gimbals |
|
Side view Pictures courtesy A. Deppner Click on the images for enlarged views |
Technical Data - Dia.: 40 mm - Ruler: 100 mm - Protractor: 180 deg., numbered every 10 deg. |
 Plain version. Compare to the catalogue version featuring a graduation (Cliquer sur les images pour les agrandir) |
 Photos igmas123 |
Technical
data - Dia.: 2 " / 50 mm, Balmain luminous paper under the cardinals and the rose of the winds (C = Cebep = sever = north). Two numbers are engraved on the back of this model but another one bears only the first no. and another one on which the rose of the winds is imprinted (links to pics). At left : Description as given in the yearly catalogue of army materiels (1907): At right: drawing in
a catalogue
 |
Model 632 S This item also existed with a transparent bottom. It is also dislayed in a WILKIE catalog for the year 1975 (Click on the image for an enlarged view) |
|
Technical
data - Diameter: 45mm - Depth: 12mm - Weight: 46gr - The arrow is painted under the crystal fixed in the bezel (compare with the marching compass Model 206 S). Picture at left: Description in three languages |
Picture
below: Catalogue for the year 1949. The export price list also contains a type-written French translation of the commercial terms and conditions. Click on the image for a view of the full compass product range. |
- Diameter: 45mm - Depth: 12mm - Weight: 31g |
 |
These
two compasses are
described in the
catalogue below (1971). (Click on image for view opened with price list) |
 |
 Pictures courtesy H.
Camacho
|
 |
 Read full descr. in the catalog for 1970 |
Model SPORTSMAN |
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|
|
Model featuriag a transparent capsule that existed also in a marching compass version. |
 |
Technical
Data - Diam.: 1.25" / 32 mm - Height: 1/2" / 12 mm - Case material: Bakelite (at left) Unknown U.S. (?) makers Pictures courtesy ethelflorence Click on the images for enlarged views |
 |
 |
Small
travel set containing a pocket compass, a map measurer and a magnifying
glass. Technical Data Dim.: 800x600x120mm Compass dia: 20mm Map measurer type Gaumet Pictures courtesy A. Zoldi |
 Instructions for use |
 |
 Click in the image for a view of the mechanism |
 Face with three hands and drawing of mechanism published in Le Journal de Genève, 1896. |
Technical
Data - Dia. : 46 mm - Map of UK  Ad (J. de Genève, 1894) |
 (Click on images for enlarged views) |
 Matchbox-type container |
Technical
Data - Dia.: 40mm - Height: 15mm - The declination value of 20° W ist unrealistic: it was about 5° W at the time the compass was manufactured. Text on box: Der zuverlässige Kompaß = the reliable compass Stamp: EVP (empfohlener Verkaufspreis) = recommended price: 2,05 DM. |
 (Click on images for enlarged views) |
 |
Technical
Data - Dia.: 45.6mm - Side length: 50mm; Height: 13.3mm - Cardinals: see Menue / Miscell. / Cardinals / Poland |
 |
 |
Technical
Data - Diameter: mm |
 |
Technical
Data - Diameter: mm - Depth: mm - Weight: g. (Picture courtesy Trademarklondon.com - Click on the picture for an enlarged view) |
•
Seven for officers: 
 (Click on the pictures for enlarged views) |
Technical
Data - Diameter: 49mm; depth: 12mm; Weight:55 g The crystal features a white (former luminous) lubber's line and is attached to a bezel that can be rotated to set the marching course. The letter C is the initial of the russian word CEBEP (pronounce SEVER) meaning North. Manufacturer not identified. |
 Model INVINCIBLE |
 (Click on th images for enlarged views) |
Technical Data - Dia: ?. mm - Divisions: 360° clockwise, every 5°, numbered every 30° - Cardinal points in Russian This compass resembles one made for the U.S. Boy Scouts by U.S. Gauge (transit lock through loop base). Only the letter for North C is in luminous paint. (Read MISCELL. th ecard. pts in various languages) Inscription on obverse: ЧЕСТНОМУ ВОИНУ РАБОЧЕ КРЕСТЬЯНСКОЙ КРАСНОЙ АРМИИ от ВСЕРОССИЙСКОЙ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ ИЗБИРАТЕЛЬНОЙ КОММИССИИ (ВЦИК) 1919 г. (translation: [award for] A HONNEST FIGHTER OF THE RED ARMY OF THE WORKERS AND PAYSANTS on behalf of the PAN-RUSSIAN EXECUTIVE CENTRAL COMMITTEE (V Ts I K), 1919. |
 Model xxx |