Magnetic compasses, which use the Earth's magnetic field to determine direction
Gyroscopic compasses, which use the principle of gyroscopic precession to determine direction
GPS compasses, which use GPS signals to determine direction
Optical compasses, which use a sighting mechanism to determine direction by aligning an object with a fixed point.
The magnetic compass is believed to have been first invented by the Chinese during the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE). However, it was not used for navigation until the Song dynasty (960-1279 CE), when Chinese navigators began using it to navigate ships at sea. The magnetic compass was first brought to Europe by traders during the 12th century, and it quickly became an essential tool for navigation.
During the Age of Exploration, the magnetic
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compass played a crucial role in the success of voyages of discovery, such as those of Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan. In the centuries that followed, the compass was improved upon and combined with other navigational tools, such as the sextant and chronometer, to allow for more accurate navigation at sea.
In the early 20th century, the magnetic compass was replaced by more advanced navigation systems such as radar and GPS
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A vintage hand-held maritime compass in original case, stamped 'Trade mark Sirius, E. Esdaile Sydney No.1056', in original timber case, the box 33 cm long
A double telescope theodolite by Adams of London, with central compass and two spirit levels, horizontal and vertical scales, an additional spirit level to the top telescope, the top turns to adjust scale by way of the attached brass screw. Tripod absent…
A Hezzanith standard binnacle with compass, Ontario Hughes Owens Co Ltd, Canada, Patt 0195A, wood with brass fittings, cast iron correcting spheres in red and green, height 135 cm
A ship's binnacle compass, octagonal teak case on square plinth base, with brass glazed dome and fittings, flanked by red and green painted steel balls, the Hartmann, Hamburg compass with Lilley & Reynolds, London card, height 150 cm.
E. Esdaile & Sons, Sydney, N.S.W. A 'Sirius' trademark marine compass with fluid filled brass bowl and fitted gimbal ring, housed in original lidded hardwood box, circa 1910. The box 11 cm high, 21 cm wide, 17 cm deep
Georgian navigation Necessaire and etui, in tortoiseshell, set with dividers, compass and ivory ruler signed by Schmalcalder, the strand London, the top set with silver plaque and initials, height 13.2 cm
A collection of five Scientific instruments, a boxed aneroid barometer, an Alidade level, box sextant, Esdaile compass and a pair of draughtman's dividers. All in the original boxes or hard leather case. (5)
A nickel cased barometer/thermometer, together with a boxed compass, circa 1900, 100 cm diameter and smaller. Provenance: Property from the collection of George Gyori, Melbourne
Early 17th century ivory and brass sundial compass by Paulus Reinman, Nuremberg, dated 1600, diptych, of rectangular form with a hinged cover, with various incised and inked dials and depictions of the star signs, with brass hinges, latches and stars set…
French silver pocket sun dial, by Baradelle, Paris, France, c. 1701-1750, of octagonal shape, inset with compass, engraved with hour scales for latitudes 43° to 52°, folding bird gnomon, the reverse engraved with the latitudes of French and other…
Four vintage miscellaneous collectable pieces including: cased pair rolled gold spectacle frames; an antler horn handle pocket knife; brass cased compass; and a brass feather form letter opener.
Two vintage brass cased prismatic compasses, including: leather cased brass compass, marked for Alfred Gillott, and a leather cased brass compass, marked Verner's pattern, diameter 5 cm each.
Ansonia: two rare brass cased pocket sundials with wax card compass and perpetual calendar printed to the case lid, early 20th century, one with leather carrying case. (2 items). The leather case 10 cm long.
An antique Austrian brass sighting compass in wooden travelling box, 19th century, engraved 'E. Krafp & Sohne, in Wein, no. 318', the dial 10 cm diameter
Mariners compass circa 1860 dry card compass in a copper bowl mounted in Gimbals in a timber box Fleur de Lys on the north point boxed, height 11 cm, length 16 cm, depth 16 cm
An exceptionally rare and important Bagnold sun compass, Instrumental in giving what has become one of Britain's most famous special forces. The Long Range Desert Group, an unrivalled edge in the North African desert during World War II it is believed…
A good ship's binnacle compass, octagonal teak case on square plinth base, with brass glazed dome and fittings, flanked by red and green painted steel balls, the Hartmann, Hamburg compass with Lilley & Reynolds, London card. H.150 cm.
A lacquered brass 3 inch pocket compass, the card marked 'Spencer, Browning & Co, Minories, London' (1840-70), with press fit cover. Provenance: The H.N.E Sheppard Estate Collection.
A Kelvin & James White Ltd 8 inch compass card, with testing certificate from the Magnetic Observatory, Glasgow, dated 1912, uninstalled, in transit box with glazed cover replacing the lid. Provenance: The H.N.E Sheppard Estate Collection.
A c.1900 Negretti & Lambra compensated pocket barometer/compass, the dark red Morocco leather fitted case enclosing the circular brass framed instrument, the case back fitted with a visible compass. Case, diameter 5.8 cm.
Two various vintage compasses including brass cased, marked for Short and Mason, in leather carry case; and another compass, unmarked, in leather carry case.
Brass and timber ships binnacle, of cylindrical form set with small door, with brass housing enclosing the binnacle compass inscribed 'Iver C. Weilbach & Co. Copenhagen,' with clinometer, flanked by red and green iron navigator balls, height 116 cm
Case vintage 'Sestrel' marine hand bearing compass, marked for Henry Browne & Son Ltd, Barking and London. Untested, but appears operational, height 31 cm (case).
An early marine ships compass, by Henry Browne & Son, Barking, London, with 'Sestral' Trademark marked on dial brass and metal mounts; working condition. It is believed that this item was part of a salvage contract conducted by JACK SUE WA SKINDIVERS in…
Jack Sue's standby compass. One of the standby compass types as used by members of Z special Unit during Operation Agas behind Japanese lines in the then British north Borneo in 1945. This compass was used in conjunction with the personal field compass.…
A brass cased marching compass, 19th century, with pivoted card scale printed with mirrored numerals, the press cover designed to fit to the base. Diameter 10 cm
Steinhoft German ships compass with instruments, in an oak case, plaque engraved 'Presented to E.J. Smith Captain of RMS Celtic, January 31st 1890'. Dimensions 27 x 27 x 18.5 cm
A vintage English oak sailing Ship wheel stand tapering cylinder shaped with brass topped compass binnacle fitting and various brass plaques and signs of nautical theme. Height 13 cm