Ross London Pocket Compass with Leather Box - in HIGH Tide or Low Tide I’LL BE by Your Side - Vintage Style Engraved Compass - Adventure Compass - Antique Style Gift Compass

Product Information

This particular model is the M88 which is made from a lightweight yet robust aluminium alloy, and has 5 active self luminous tritium lights enabling full night and day operation. The British Army used this type of compass from the last quarter of the 19th century, and this particular example comes with its leather case bearing the name of a later owner and the letters 9th K.S.L.I, referring to the 9th battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Although there are no makers marks, the design is that of a MK VII which was the last of the hunter cased models first developed in WW1 for the Britiash Army and it dates from the period between the two world wars. This type of compass was a development of Schmalcalder's Patent compass of 1812 which introduced the idea of using an optical prism, combined with a sighting vane, to improve accuracy when taking bearings. L & M trace their roots to two London based Jewish families, who set up operations all over the world, initially in London and then the Indian subcontinent.

However please note that over the years the base section of the mahogany case has warped slightly producing a gap between the lid & base, ( see photos) which although noticeable doesn't detract too much from what is a quite splendid Victorian compass with rare novelty value. A British Army WW1 Verner's Pattern MKVII prismatic marching compass with leather case, all in very good condition. This is Aubrey Franks who belonged to the famous Franks family founded in the late 18th century by Isaac Franks. The firm operated in Manchester from 1798 and continued as a family business throughout the 19th & 20th centuries with Aubrey taking it over in 1878. In 1826, Simms joined with Edward Troughton to form the famous partnership of Troughton & Simms, dating this compass to the early 19th century. My limited research suggests the compass may have belonged to William Lee who was proprietor of The Marquis of Granby tavern from 1856 to 1875. The Marquis of Granby itself dates to the late 1700's and operated consistently for almost 150 years before being converted into a cinema in the early 20th century.

My Account

During WWI and WWII Ross Limited produced pattern 373 and 373B "Officer of the Watch" telescopes for the Royal Navy. This WW1 Verner's pattern MKVIII prismatic marching compass is made by Sampson Mordan, and is engraved 'S. Mordan & Co, 102376, 1918', it's also stamped with the British Army War department arrow on the underside of the compass body. Although one of the small screws on the underside that retains the dial to the case is missing, it is still held securely by the remaining three and does not affect the compass function. A rare compass from the WW1 era dated 1917, it comes in it's original leather carrying case which is in very good condition with all its stitching intact. Measuring 3" (75mm) square, a very collectable compass that is well over 200 years old and signed by a renowned maker with Royal accreditation. Price

The decorative paper compass dial has a full 360 degree scale with 32 cardinal and inter-cardinal points and is in particularly clean for a compass of this age. Not only is this Glauser MK 4 a rare compass, but it's also in excellent condition and comes complete with its leather case & most of the original service kit. Measuring just under 5¼ " (132mm) square, this is a near 200 year old antique compass signed by a renowned maker in his early career. Price This type of instrument was often used by civil engineers and also artillery regiments in the British army for range and trajectory calculations to target heavy guns. By 1955 Ross Ensign had moved production from Walthamstow to Ross's Clapham Common factory, where they continued to produce cameras along with lenses and binoculars.This large Victorian mahogany cased desk top compass measures 6¼" (160mm) dial diameter, the case being 7¼" (185mm) square by (28mm) depth, and made during the last quarter of the 19th century in London, for use as an educational aid in schools. A quality antique instrument measuring 75mm in diameter it comes in a leather case which is also in good condition with some repairs to the straps. The case has the number 254 imprinted along with some lettering, possibly of a previous owner but difficult to read.

After his death in 1956, his widow presented the compass to Lt. Col. Edwin Harold Bowen in 1963 ( see photo for paperwork). Bowen had served as a Major and Captain (Deputy Commissaries) in the Corp of Royal Pakistani Army during World War II, he was awarded an OBE in 1954 before retiring with an honorary rank of Lt Colonel in 1955. Made from bronzed brass, measuring just over 5 inches (130mm) in diameter and weighing just under 900 grams, this is an impressive surveying compass. the production of cameras ended but the company continued for some time to sell Ross optical devices such as binoculars or enlarging lenses. The firm operated under the Franks name until 1950, when it was finally acquired by Dollond & Aitchison.

Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1855, he was later appointed Optician to HRH the Prince of Wales. It still has its anti slip rubber ring on the underside, so often missing on these compasses, and comes with its original leather case also dated 1918, which is also in very good condition with all stitching intact.