Antique Compasses
20th century
French Brass Pocket Compass by Testrite
Flip Top Pocket Compass by Testrite. French made, circa 1910. Brass case, original beveled crystal glass, jeweled pivot with half-blued steel needle and mechanical stop.
19th-20th Century
Lutz & Schultz Inclinometer Compass
Silver Compass with gilt Inclinometer, Signed 'Lutz y Scholtz, Buenos Aires Cordoba Rosario'. Half-blued steel needle on Ruby pivot. Marked 90-0-90. Needle lock operated at the stem. Retractable base leg is found at the 2:00 position. Silvered inner ring graduated 360 degrees, marked every degree, numbered every 10. An incredibly scarce and fine piece. Circa 1900.
Lutz & Schultz were Engineers and German immigrants to Argentina- hence the German 'Oest'. After immigrating to Buenos Aires, Lutz & Schultz went on to design some of Argentina's most famous buildings.
18th Century
French Hand Coloured Brass Compass
Roman numerals hand-etched on brass compass perimeter, fleur-de-lis on North. Complete with original glass, compass lid, functional pivot, and paper dial. Hand-coloured paper face dial features vibrant colors and clean lines. Lovely patina, with appropriate discoloration on paper appropriate with age. French made, circa mid 18th century.
18th Century-19th Century
Georgian Gilt Pocket Compass
A rare Georgian pocket compass, made in England, circa 1800. With a hand-painted, porcelain or enamel compass card in the classic Georgian style. Although unsigned, this is a very high quality compass, undoubtedly from one of the finest London makers, such as John Bleuler or Gerge Adams. It has a beautiful gilt or gold-plated brass case, English bar, blued-steel needle (with gilt north and south markers) and jewelled pivot. There is a fully functional transit lock operated by a lever at the bow. The compass is in full working order and finds North very well. It comes complete with its original fish skin leather covered case. Original compass card, blued-steel needle, and beveled crystal glass.
19th Century
Victorian Brass Pocket Compass
Fine, English Victorian Brass Pocket Compass. Complete with original press-fit lid, ornate blued-steel needle, functioning gilt pivot, beveled glass, and compass card. Compass card shows minimal discoloration. Unsigned. English made, circa 1860. (Small crescent crack on glass).
18th Century
English Georgian Boxwood Compass
Antique travel compass, turned boxwood, with cover. Compass card with 16 winds, printed by an engraved copper plate and later water-coloured by hand, with goniometric circle. Original blued-steel needle, jeweled pivot. English made, circa 1770. This piece was made before glass compass faces rose to popularity- therefore, it is has no glass.
Please note- This compass is not missing any of it's original components, as it was never intended for a glass face.
18th & 19th Century
Wooden Folding Compasses
Top Left- 'Made in France' etched under West.
Top Right- 'France' etched under North.
Bottom Left- 1850 Wooden Pocket Compass by Francis Barker. Fleur-de-lis on North.
Featured in the Compass Library.
Bottom Center- W. & L. E. Gurley, Troy. N.Y. Blue-steeled needle. Star on North.
Bottom Right- More Info Coming Soon
19th Century
Georgian Brass Pocket Compass
Fine Antique Brass Compass. Complete original, with bevelled glass, blued-steel needle, brass pivot, 16 cardinal point compass card , and press-fit lid with inscribed compass card (quadrants marked 0-90-0-90. English made, circa 1830.
18th Century
French Brass Compass
A very early French Pocket Compass. Han-etched brass with a Fleur-de-lis on North, 16 cardinal point ornate compass card, blued-steel needle on brass pivot. Compass lid has unfortunately been lost to time.
19th Century
French Victorian Ships Compass
Fine brass dry compass with jeweled pivot, English made, fleur-de-lis on North, floating paper compass card, unisgned. White north needle, opposed to black. Circa 1850.
19th Century
French Compass with Radium Paint
Handsome French Brass Pocket Compass. Needle lock on side, with adjustable inner needle. Half-blued steel needle with Sapphire pivot. Marked 'Made in France'. Needles painted with Radium dots, likely used for military application during WW1 (needles still glow in the dark).