Code BA20040601: Dennison Birmingham Compass, c. 1920
| This is a WW1 era pocket antique compass, engraved inside the case DENNISON WATCH CASE Co. LTD. MADE IN ENGLAND. Inside front lid it has the serial number 195936 W. The Dennison case is Nickel plated and still in mint condition. No damage. No dings or dents. The dial is a variant of the Singer patent. It is marked ENGLAND REG. 416645. The British National Archives (South-West London) gave the following information: "The design no. 416645 was published on page 1318 of the Official Journal of patents dated 30th September 1903, covering designs registered in the week ending 17th September 1903. The owners were Francis Barker & Son, of 12 Clerkenwell Rd, London WC" (text from the Compass Museum). The beveled glass crystal and dry dial card are all in excellent condition without any chips or scratches. In full working order (finding North easily), with strong hinge including the transit lock. Measures 4.6cm in diameter. This compass is virtually in mint condition and would make a great gift. |
SOLD
The case maker was Aaron Lufkin Dennison of Birmingham UK, he manufactured watch cases from late 1874 at 24 Villa Road, Handsworth UK. As part of the war effort he diversified into compass cases. He was originally the Managing Director of the American Waltham Watch Company in the USA, where he made the very first watch with interchangeable parts and produced watches of Railway quality. He was known as the Founding Father of the American Watch Making Industry.
