Field Equipment: Pocket Compasses

M ELEY · 7th July 2009, 08:23 AM

Very nice specimens, gents. I've always wanted to pick up one of these for my "nautical collection", for although sextants were the tool of choice, compasses also served on many a merchant/privateer vessel. I like to see these related items in posts since they serve to support the study of military life. Just picked up an old maritime telescope myself recently, made by Spencer, Browning and Rust, ca. 1800. Thanks again for posting these.

Atlantia · 7th July 2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Very nice specimens, gents. I've always wanted to pick up one of these for my "nautical collection", for although sextants were the tool of choice, compasses also served on many a merchant/privateer vessel. I like to see these related items in posts since they serve to support the study of military life. Just picked up an old maritime telescope myself recently, made by Spencer, Browning and Rust, ca. 1800. Thanks again for posting these.

Thanks 'Mr Eley'

Any chance you could show some pics of your 'field gear'?
This for me is one of the most interesting parts of studying the history of warfare. We concentrate on the weapons themselves, so its easy to forget just how vital these little 'elements' were in warfare.
I'm always on the lookout for things like this.
Perhaps we could see if anyone has anything else along these lines?
Maps.
Signalling gear.
Medical/surgical equipment.
Optical devices.

Atlantia · 7th July 2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Very nice specimens, gents. I've always wanted to pick up one of these for my "nautical collection", for although sextants were the tool of choice, compasses also served on many a merchant/privateer vessel. I like to see these related items in posts since they serve to support the study of military life. Just picked up an old maritime telescope myself recently, made by Spencer, Browning and Rust, ca. 1800. Thanks again for posting these.

Just wanted to add how nice it is when you manage to find a telescope of that age (my Dollond is around then as well).
Very nice items, hugely expensive in their day, and of absolutely vital importance especially to mariners.
I won't mind at all if you post pictures of it

fernando · 7th July 2009, 04:39 PM

Hi guys,
Little antique curious stuff is my middle name

.
May i introduce a less austere little device... just for the fun

.
An old wood handmade Compass + Sundial, of reduced dimensions (less than 3x2") and weight (aprox. 1 ounce).
I like the artist's naive presumption to tag the thing with REGISTERED MARK and made by the REAL AUTHOR named JOÃO DA SILVA.
Well, it might not be an accurate guiding tool, but certainly a rare object

.
Allright, don't hit me; i just couldn't resist showing this little thing.
Fernando

.

Atlantia · 7th July 2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi guys,
Little antique curious stuff is my middle name

.
May i introduce a less austere little device... just for the fun

.
An old wood handmade Compass + Sundial, of reduced dimensions (less than 3x2") and weight (aprox. 1 ounce).
I like the artist's naive presumption to tag the thing with REGISTERED MARK and made by the REAL AUTHOR named JOÃO DA SILVA.
Well, it might not be an accurate guiding tool, but certainly a rare object

.
Allright, don't hit me; i just couldn't resist showing this little thing.
Fernando

.

Hi Fernando,
What a Charming little instrument! I just love the decoration. Especially the 'Sundial' numbering inside the case!
The way it has been put together actually reminds me of victorian 'Ouija Boards'.
LOL, hope it IS pointing to north, and not a 'spirit compass'

Its lovely Fernando, any ideas of age?
Regards
Gene

fearn · 7th July 2009, 05:08 PM

Hi Fernando,

Amusing little instrument, because Silva (link) has been making compasses since 1928. In Sweden.

I'm not sure whether yours is older or younger than that.

That said, does your device actually work? Does the compass point north? If the sundail was supposed to be accurate, the angle between the string (gnomon) and the base should be roughly the latitude for which it was manufactured.

Best,

F

fernando · 7th July 2009, 07:24 PM

Now, i've got myself into troubles; i forgot these guys want to know everything

.
The Swedish Silva is just a coincidence; the name Silva is one of the oldest Portuguese family names.
I would swear this João da Silva was from Braga, a city here in the north, but i don't remember where i have read this. Searching the name per se is useless, as it is so vulgar as John Smith.
But in any case this little device is local handcraft. Amazingly, not necessarily being a 'sworn' apparatus, it does point (shamely) to North and, going out to the veranda i positioned it in the North ditrection and it indicated the right time over here: 5 pm it was.
Hard to tell its age; thirties or most possibly earlier. I wish i traced some other example i saw illustrated somewhere, which i think once happened.
Fernando

fearn · 7th July 2009, 08:13 PM

Thanks Fernando.

Nothing shameful about it--if it works, it works, and that's the most important thing any compass can do. I was concerned that it was supposed to be a cheap ripoff, but simple as it is, it was properly designed and built.

F

fernando · 7th July 2009, 09:32 PM

Hi Fearn ... and others,
Urgent correction to my lousy english

.
I meant shamely, as it hesitates a bit before it points north; probably missing some of its original magnetic load.
Fernando

7th July 2009, 04:39 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi guys, Little antique curious stuff is my middle name . May i introduce a less austere little device... just for the fun . An old wood handmade Compass + Sundial, of reduced dimensions (less than 3x2") and weight (aprox. 1 ounce). I like the artist's naive presumption to tag the thing with REGISTERED MARK and made by the REAL AUTHOR named JOÃO DA SILVA. Well, it might not be an accurate guiding tool, but certainly a rare object . Allright, don't hit me; i just couldn't resist showing this little thing. Fernando . Attached Images

7th July 2009, 05:08 PM	#6
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Fernando, Amusing little instrument, because Silva (link) has been making compasses since 1928. In Sweden. I'm not sure whether yours is older or younger than that. That said, does your device actually work? Does the compass point north? If the sundail was supposed to be accurate, the angle between the string (gnomon) and the base should be roughly the latitude for which it was manufactured. Best, F Last edited by fearn; 7th July 2009 at 08:11 PM.

7th July 2009, 07:24 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Now, i've got myself into troubles; i forgot these guys want to know everything . The Swedish Silva is just a coincidence; the name Silva is one of the oldest Portuguese family names. I would swear this João da Silva was from Braga, a city here in the north, but i don't remember where i have read this. Searching the name per se is useless, as it is so vulgar as John Smith. But in any case this little device is local handcraft. Amazingly, not necessarily being a 'sworn' apparatus, it does point (shamely) to North and, going out to the veranda i positioned it in the North ditrection and it indicated the right time over here: 5 pm it was. Hard to tell its age; thirties or most possibly earlier. I wish i traced some other example i saw illustrated somewhere, which i think once happened. Fernando Last edited by fernando; 7th July 2009 at 09:33 PM. Reason: term correction

7th July 2009, 08:23 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,196	Very nice specimens, gents. I've always wanted to pick up one of these for my "nautical collection", for although sextants were the tool of choice, compasses also served on many a merchant/privateer vessel. I like to see these related items in posts since they serve to support the study of military life. Just picked up an old maritime telescope myself recently, made by Spencer, Browning and Rust, ca. 1800. Thanks again for posting these.

7th July 2009, 08:13 PM	#8
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Thanks Fernando. Nothing shameful about it--if it works, it works, and that's the most important thing any compass can do. I was concerned that it was supposed to be a cheap ripoff, but simple as it is, it was properly designed and built. F

7th July 2009, 09:32 PM	#9
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Fearn ... and others, Urgent correction to my lousy english . I meant shamely, as it hesitates a bit before it points north; probably missing some of its original magnetic load. Fernando