Posted 4 years ago
cvandog
(1 item)
I remember seeing this as a kid, in some junk drawer in my grandparents kitchen. My grandfather had a few thing about the house from WWII, so I just kind of figured it was one of those things. So jump ahead 40+ years as I'm going though my late father's belongings. I'm reunited with this compass. It's fairly "plain jane", but I like it and want to find out more. Just I'm not real savvy when it comes to researching on the computer.
Here's what I know:
-It is a 3" compass. Appears to be bronzed. Weighs about 10.5 ounces (295 grams). Has no identifying markings when the cover is in place.
-Keuffel & Esser Co. New York is printed on the face, and on the face only. The face has for quadrants 0-90 degrees with East and West in inverted positions. The quadrants are numbered in 10 degree increments and around the outer edge there's a mark for every degree.
-The cover is fitted and simply sits on top of the face and sights with no latches or hinges. On the inner side of the cover is stamped a "15". On the outer edge of the cover and the base are two holes or indents in the same position relative to the longer sight.
-The longer of the two sights is about 2" long and has a "3" stamped on the left side and a "9"on the right side of the base of the hinge, on the inner side (can only be seen when the sight is folded up).
-The shorter sight is approximately 1" long and the inner base side of the hinge has a "1" to the left and "9"stamped on the right hand side. Between the two numbers, coming up through the outer wall of the compass is the mechanism that locks the needle in place when the shorter sight is closed.
I have spent a few hours searching the internet and have only found one image of this exact compass, but the image had no information attached, other than Keuffel & Esser, and the root of the file doesn't exist anymore. After taking another look at the image (not a very good image), I note that it has a full cover, with no cutouts to accommodate the hinges. And the hinges offset the sights slightly so that the sights fold down to hold the cover in place.
The image is typical of the other things I've found in several catalogs ranging from 1889-1932. They have similar features, but not a match. If anyone any has information or can get me pointed in the right direction it would be much appreciated.
