HANDSOME EXTREMELY RARE ANTIQUE F BARKER & SON PRISMATIC COMPASS - 1868
BRASS CASED POCKET COMPASS DATING TO 1868 MANUFACTURED BY F BARKER & SON BEARING THE PRE-1875 TRADE MARK UNDER THE PRISM GUARD
HAND DRAWN GREEN CARD ON JEWELLED CAP, TRANSIT LOCK AND CARD BRAKE.
THIS COMPASS WAS THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THE LARGE SCHMALCALDER PRISMATIC COMPASS AND THE LATER, MASS PRODUCED VERNER'S PATENT COMPASSES. THIS MODEL WAS MANUFACTURED ONLY BY F BARKER & SON BETWEEN AROUND 1855 AND 1870, AND VERY FEW STILL SURVIVE. THE GREEN SINGER'S PATENT DESIGN CARD BEARING THE POST-1875 TRADE MARK DATES THE CARD TO 1876.
THE COMPASS EITHER HAD ITS CARD REPLACED AROUND 1876 BY THE BARKER FACTORY, OR THE COMPASS WAS ASSEMBLED IN 1876 USING A CONTEMPORARY CARD WITH AN OLDER CASE FOUND IN STOCK. EITHER WAY, BOTH COMPONENTS ARE GENUINE FACTORY STOCK.
THE HINGE IS GOOD AND STRONG, AND THE COMPASS CLOSES AND OPENS FIRMLY. THE ORIGINAL GLASS COMPONENTS ARE IN PERFECT CONDITION.
THE COMPASS IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL, AND COULD BE USED AS A TREKKING COMPASS, THOUGH IT IS MORE LIKELY TO BE ACQUIRED BY A DISCERNING COLLECTOR.
THIS COMPASS IS IN MUSEUM CONDITION.
PRICE INCLUDES POSTAGE WORLDWIDE - Buyers are responsible for any import taxes payable in countries outside of the European Community (including the United Kingdom), but I will do all I can to minimise such taxes.
