Compass Vault- Dip & Ring Compass

Curious Compasses

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A large and fine collection of various functional compasses. Antique to Vintage, American and European made. This Vault contains the Most Curious of Compasses: Equerre's, Pantometers, Trough & Button Compasses, Dip/Ring & Demonstrational Dials.

19th century

Equerre & Pantometer Cross Staffs

Equerre's were invented to set 45 and 90 degree angles in a field. Succeeded by Pantometers, which can be set at any angle.

Circa 1840-1860

Travelers Pantometer (Setters Compass)

Signed 'J. Meurthin, GEFLE'. Brass Dip Compass with original lid, glass, hand-coloured paper face, with half-blued needle. French made, circa 1840-1860.

Featured in Sweden's National Museum of Science & Technology.

Circa 1900

Boxed Equerre Surveyors Cross Staff

Cross finished in black lacquer with silvered dial, scale, & compass. Featuring geared adjustment, ball, & socket staff support. Original Oak case, glass, & functioning needle. Displayed on ornate, clawed Brass base. Unsigned. Dutch-made for English audience, circa 1900.

Similar Model Featured by Nicolàs de Hilster, PhD.

19th-20th Century

Dipping (Needle/Ring) Dials

Dip (Needle) Compass, also called an Inclination Compass; Invented to measure the vertical force of the Earth's magnetism. Incredibly precise scientific instruments allow for drawing maps of equal inclination (isoclinic).

Circa 1870

Miners' Ring Dial by W & L.E. Gurley

Antique Ring Dial by W & L.E. Gurley. Brass body, ring, and pivot; Steel needle sits atop brass bar. Marked in 10 degree intervals, 0-90-0. Protective brass press-fit caps.

Featured in Harvard University's Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments.

Circa 1940

Joseph G. Pollard & Co. Dipping Dial

WW2 Dipping Dial by Joseph G. Pollard & Co. Made in New Hyde Park, NY., circa 1940.

Similar Model Featured in The Compass Museum.

20th Century

Military Trough Compass

Trough Compasses, also called Plane Compasses, are used to accurately align other instruments (such as a plane table, theodolite etc.) to magnetic North. The magnetized steel needle is aligned with brass bar to locate true North (opposite end shows South).

Circa 1950

Cased Trough Compass by Hilger & Watts Ltd.

Encased in gilded wooden box, with sliding lid. Early, pre-serialized piece by well-known, British opticians & scientific instrument makers, Hilger & Watts (1948-1967).

Marked 'HILGER & WATTS LTD, MADE IN ENGLAND'

Circa 1960's

Cold-War U.S.S.R. Military Trough Compass, circa 1960's.

Intended for field use, this vintage Soviet Union Military trough (Plane) compass is composed of Brass and nickel-plated steel. A no-frills, but incredibly accurate & functional piece.