A rare Artillery or Surveyors Prismatic Compass, made in the UK c.1982 by Francis Barker & Son Ltd of Edenbridge in Kent. With a brass and aluminium case, 102mm duralumin ring card calibrated to half degrees, folding prism and sighting vane, and screw threaded tripod mounting on the base. There is a transit lock which operates to lock the card when the sighting vane is folded, and a manual push-button brake. The compass would originally have had a lid, but this is missing. It comes with its original fittted leather case and shoulder strap. This compass was listed as model No. 1201 in the 1982 Francis Barker catalogue. Other versions were available with optional filters and azimuth mirror.
This compass design originated in the second half of the 19th century, and was a development of the Schmalcalder Patent types of the early 1800's. In 1861 W. F. Stanley patented a number of improvements in the use of aluminium in the manufacture of mathematical and scientific instruments, and he was one of the first to use this type of cutaway aluminium card. Stanley's Surveying and Levelling Instruments (1895) included a description of this type of compass, and it was listed in many scientific instrument catalogues, including the J. H. Steward Military Instruments Catalogue (1901), the W. F. Stanley Catalogue (1912), and the Francis Barker catalogues of 1909 and 1926.
Francis Barker & Son Ltd: were established in London in 1848, as a maker of compasses and scientific instruments. Francis Barker produced a very wide range of compass designs over the years, supplying major retailers such as Negretti & Zambra, J. Lizars, C. W. Dixey, Dollond, and many others. The company prospered until 1932, when it was taken over and became F. Barker & Son (1932). After WW2 the company changed hands several times and the name is now owned by Pyser-Optics of Edenbridge in Kent. They continue to produce the renowned Barker M-73, widely acknowledged to be the world's finest prismatic compass.
Condition:
In very good, near mint condition and full working order. The compass would originally have had a push-fit lid, but this is missing. The leather case is in very good condition.
Dimensions: 115mm diameter (150mm including prism)
