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This type of instrument was often used by civil engineers and also artillery regiments in the British army for range and trajectory calculations to target heavy guns. Waters would go on to release notable publications including 'The War in South Africa', ' Secret and confidential : the experiences of a military attaché', and 'Russia Then & Now'.
c1840 Ross started making lenses for cameras. The lenses were engraved A. Ross, London. Ross had an early association with Carl Zeiss in Jena; Zeiss licensed some Ross patent designs particularly for EWA lenses and in turn Ross had a licence for the British Empire to make some Carl Zeiss lens types. Advert in British Industries Fair Catalogue as an Optical, Scientific and Photographic Exhibit. Manufacturers of Photographic Lenses, Cameras, Prism Binoculars, Field Glasses, Opera Glasses, Telescopes, Terrestrial, Astronomical, Cinematograph Projectors, Search-light Arc Lamps, Equipment, Optical Lanterns, Aeronautical, Astronomical and Nautical Instruments, Lenses, Prisms of all kinds. (Scientific Section - Stand No. O.32) [2] In 1833 he served as Master of the Spectacle Makers’ Guild and a s well as writing and publishing a number of instructional handbooks, he was also Optician in Ordinary to King George IV and Queen Victoria and operated out of 21 Poultry Lane until his death in 1847. In good condition, the English cross bar needle pivots on a gemstone bearing for reduced friction, above an aluminium dial divided into four 90 degree quadrants, protected by a clean glass crystal. The entire dial can be fully rotated by turning of a brass knob on the underside, which would have been used for surveyors to maintain their sightline to geographical landmarks, whilst also recording their relative position to North without physically rotating the compass.Founded in the late 18th century by their father John Jones and later taken over by brothers William and Samuel, W & S Jones was a prolific optical, mathmatical and navigational instrument manufacturer between 1791-1860 and operated out of 30 Holborn London until Samuels death in 1859. In good condition, the body is engraved 'PATENT NO 1926. MADE BY F. BARKER & SON LONDON FOR CASTANON MONGEY. CIA MADRID. 4751'.
In very good condition including its leather case, this is a substantial instrument, which weighs 500 grams including the case, and measures 70mm in diameter across the main body. PriceThis mid 19th century brass prismatic sighting compass made by Elliott Brothers is signed 'ELLIOTT BROS, CHARING CROSS, LONDON' on the dial around the pivot. A large mid 19th century gimbal mounted ships compass of impressive proportions, signed 'J. Stevenson, Compass Adjuster, Aberdeen' on the card dial. The only markings are the words Trade Mark London, arranged in a triangle above the North fleur de lis, and within the triangle is a combination of 3 letters and one symbol, F B & S. These are superimposed over each other to form the logo of Francis Barker & Son, and the S is reversed, showing this was made after the death of Francis Barker in 1875. A precision item made to the highest quailty standard, it's in very good condition and comes with its original case which is also in good sound condition.
Set in a mahogany case, with an attractive paper sunburst dial, divided into 90 degree quadrants and displaying 32 cardinal and inter-cardinal points, it's in very good condition with a glass crystal retained by a brass bezel, and a shapely blued steel needle engraved 'N' & 'S' in gold letters. The firm operated under the Franks name until 1950, when it was finally acquired by Dollond & Aitchison. The British Army used this type of compass from the last quarter of the 19th century, and this particular example comes with its leather case bearing the name of a later owner and the letters 9th K.S.L.I, referring to the 9th battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Dating to the latter part of the 19th century, this large mahogany cased compass measuring 8.5" square was originally made for educational purposes but today makes an impressive desk ornament.
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The MK VI is less common and unusual to find in relatively good condition, particularly with its centre paper label completely intact, although the anti slip ring appears to be a later replacement. It is accompanied by a leather case which is in good condition with all stitching intact and has the letters "E.V.B" impressed on one side, and on the other side is written "J R Richardson R.M" in faint pen, which would have been a previous owner, possibly in the Royal Marines. Although one of the small screws on the underside that retains the dial to the case is missing, it is still held securely by the remaining three and does not affect the compass function. Although the lid has a minor dent ( see photos) it fits the compass frame securely, protecting the glass when not in use. A quality antique instrument measuring 75mm in diameter it comes in a leather case which is also in good condition with some repairs to the straps. The case has the number 254 imprinted along with some lettering, possibly of a previous owner but difficult to read. Made from bronzed brass, measuring just over 5 inches (130mm) in diameter and weighing just under 900 grams, this is an impressive surveying compass.
The compass is of the floating card dial type with a gemstone pivot & probably dates to between 1860 & 1870. A genuine antique compass with a traditional design, it comes with a modern velvet drawstring pouch for added protection. After Andrew died the firm was run by his son T. R. Ross, and the lenses were engraved Ross, London. J. H. Dallmeyer, who had married Ross's second daughter, Hannah, inherited one third of his employer's large fortune and the telescope manufacturing portion of the business. After duty in South Africa, he was sent in 1904 as the War Office representative with the Russian army in Manchuria traveling extensively across Russia. His final visit before the October Revolution came in October 1916, when he had an audience with Tsar Nikolai II Alexandrovich Romanov at his headquarters in Mogilev.The kit comprises of a 1/2 oz bottle of liquid (empty), disc spanner, sighting wire, chamois leather & instruction sheet, the spare interchangeable pivot being the only item missing. A precision item made to the highest quailty standard, it's in very good condition and comes with its original leather case which is also in excellent condition. It goes without saying that this is a genuine Stanley instrument, and not one of the many reproductions which regrettably are still catching out many unsuspecting buyers. Wood cased compasses are for the most part unsigned, but this travellers compass in a mahogany case, has a makers name which although partially obscured, reads ‘Wm SIMMS’ at the very north point of the dial ( see photo). However please note that over the years the base section of the mahogany case has warped slightly producing a gap between the lid & base, ( see photos) which although noticeable doesn't detract too much from what is a quite splendid Victorian compass with rare novelty value. Zeiss built a factory in London, mainly to produce binoculars; some camera lenses also were produced.
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