Is this Indy's compass?

[distantpeople]

Lucky find. A century old in near new condition...

[bearbeast]

That is a gorgeous piece, whether it is the same model, or not.

Very nice!

[Ridgerunner58]

Nice to see a well cared for piece of equipment like that. Someone obviously valued it highly.

[captblitzdawg]

I say it certainly is appropriate, so include in your gear if you like! Those kinds of details really add to creating the character.

[Nosirrah]

In the past few days, a couple of posts have reminded me how a strong Lawrence of Arabia vibe runs through the Indy movies: the Webley, the desert garb, and now the compass. All three are critical plot elements in Lawrence. Those guys knew what they liked.

Addendum: Just noticed the "broad arrow" mark on the back side-- this was British government issue. The broad arrow came up a few months back in a discussion of wristwatches, IIRC.

[Wotalark]

Beautiful example of a British "marching compass". These were used from the end of the Nineteenth Century right through both world wars. What's the issue date on the back? I couldn't see it sharply in that photo.

This is exactly the right sort of compass and you have a lovely example there. Congrats!

[backstagejack]

Wow, what an amazing find! And a unique add to the gear. You're well on your way to making sure that Mrk VII satchel is actually used!

[Hunter Jones]

I haven't been very active in the gear hobby for a few years but have been slowly returning. This compass is now a must-have for me.

I found this article with some information on Verner type compasses.

http://compasscollector.com/article_page_5.htm

[distantpeople]

Thank you for all your comments and insight. It is dated 1918 at the back. Tried to get more detail on its background from the seller - it spent much of its life in Glasgow, probably put away in a low humidity environment.

That is a great article - thank you Hunter!

Ran across this book (free download) as well: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2rcl1xvim4v9r ... G.pdf?dl=0

The point of caution to remember is that the orange paint on the dial is made from Radium 226 and must be handled with some care.

[IndianaJustin]

Pretty amazing! Where did you find it? Unless I missed this somewhere in your post.

[distantpeople]

Pretty amazing! Where did you find it? Unless I missed this somewhere in your post.

Thanks for your comments Justin! Oddly enough the bay is a pretty good place to search.

In the case of these types of compasses, look for listings with low quality photos (and low prices), but where you can just make out the lack of wear.

There is a transit lock designed to stop the dial from spinning so that a accurate readings can be quickly taken. Often non-specialist sellers do not know this and describe them as broken.

Lastly luck helps - this one cost only 30% of its market value.

[IndianaJustin]

Thanks Distant for the tip, I’ll check it out!

[Ark101]

Anyone found any “new” similar looking compasses out there? Definitely would be nice to have a classy retro compass to add to the gear without the radium issue and rarity/cost.

[distantpeople]

This is a copy of a Mark III introduced at the beginning of WWII.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samara-Nautica ... B07KD5MTHM

These are India made, often do not work well as compasses, have wildly incorrect cases and were never ever polished to a shine originally (you can use ammonia fumes to darken the finish though)...

But you will have a reasonable facsimile that you can display safely. Don't pay more than $20-28 and watch out for dodgy sellers.

[Hunter Jones]

There are a few Verner type compasses on ebay at the moment. MkVII's mostly. One in particular is very reasonably priced.

MOD EDIT: Please refrain from posting auctions that are not your own per site rules.

DO NOT POST AUCTIONS THAT ARE NOT YOURS.
If you do post links to active auctions other than your own, the link WILL BE DELETED.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Hunter Jones]

Sorry.

[Indiana Jeff]

No worries. Got it all taken care of.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Wotalark]

Inspired by this thread, thanks Distantpeople, I have just bought myself a 1908 compass of similar pattern, though not the same patina yours has. Plus I found the issue manual from 1917 'The prismatic compass& how to use it: A pocket manual on military magnetic compasses- with 41 illustrations, plates & diagrams'.

That should be a big help to me, brought up on a plastic Silva!

[distantpeople]

Great. Be sure to post photos!

Inspired by this thread, thanks Distantpeople, I have just bought myself a 1908 compass of similar pattern, though not the same patina yours has. Plus I found the issue manual from 1917 'The prismatic compass& how to use it: A pocket manual on military magnetic compasses- with 41 illustrations, plates & diagrams'.

That should be a big help to me, brought up on a plastic Silva!

[MCINTOSH275]

Hello...

Someone from the forum that is bidding on ebay for a compass Mk VIII...???

A greetings...

Lorenzo...

[Wotalark]

[quote="distantpeople"]Great. Be sure to post photos!

Will do!

[Wotalark]

Hello...

Someone from the forum that is bidding on ebay for a compass Mk VIII...???

A greetings...

Lorenzo...

Well, bid and bought! It's a AVerner's Pattern Mk VI by E.R. Watts & Sons, London. It is marked No 239. 1908. The seller told me it was owned by his Great Uncle Art who was in the (British) Royal Navy during the Second World War. It may have originally been used by his Great Grandfather who lived through active service in WW I.

It is broad arrow marked so was issued so I have no reason to doubt the provenance. They lived in Portsmouth so a real Navy connection.

It's winging it's way overland so will post when I get it.

Hopefully we can inspire others and get these into good Indy fan hands. Now where's that link for the pencils???

[distantpeople]

Great - look forward to your photographs. Added some close ups in this collection: https://imgur.com/a/RBlPibp

[Wotalark]

Great photos and I like that you have labelled them up.

Cool stuff !