Code BA16050801: Georgian Solid Silver Long-Neck Compass by WEST, LONDON Hallmarked 1812
| This is a rare Georgian Long-Neck open-face Silver compass made in LONDON in 1812. The case is sterling silver with London 1812 silver hallmarks on the back. It is still in excellent condition for its age. The bow has a very nice design typically used in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The same design was used on pocket watches of this era as well. This compass has a floating dial with very nice pattern and typically nautical design. It is graduated every 2 degrees and numbered every 10 degrees, in four quadrants, starting from 0 to 90 from North to East, then decreasing from 90 to 0 from East to South. The same pattern is repeated between North and West and between West and South. The dial has a jeweled brass cap at the center that rests on the pivot. The dial is marked WEST, LONDON. Under the long neck there is a small lever that is used to activate the transit lock, which lifts the dial and avoids any contact between the jewelled bearing and the steel pivot when the compass is not in use. This function is a must on quality compasses since it prevents undue wear to the pivot and avoids breaking the jewel if the compass accidentally receives a shock. To lifts the dial the lever must be pushed counter-clock wise. To release the dial and make use of the compass, the lever must be pushed clockwise. The compass is in excellent working order and finding North very easily. The compass is very precise and can be used as a precision instrument. The compass still has slightly convex glass crystal, which is in excellent condition without any scratches or chips. The length from bottom to the bow is 61mm. The diameter of the case is 41mm. This is to be considered as extremely rare and has great value for the serious collector. |
SOLD
