A very scarce Victorian gimballed Singer’s Patent marine compass in mahogany case by Francis Barker, London c1870

Nautical dry card compass having 3″ diameter hand drawn Singer’s Patent 128-wind floating card displaying cardinals and intercardinals, Singer trademark star and lyre indicating north. Card suspended on jewelled pivot, the verso with magnetic needle, balanced with sealing wax. Flat glass held in a copper bezel. All within an off-white painted copper bowl set on lacquered brass gimballed mountings, and contained within a mahogany case with sliding lid.

Condition: The instrument in very good original condition, the compass card flat and very crisp, the needle easily finding north. The original glass with a very few light marks. The gimbals working correctly. The case in very good condition.

Comments: This nautical gimballed Singer’s Patent compass is a rare instrument, surviving in very original condition. The dial identical to the higher numbered Singer’s Patent cards, indicating that this was manufactured very shortly after the expiration of Samuel Berry Singer’s patent  in 1868. 

Although Trinity House gave Singer’s Patent compasses glowing reviews, marine versions are notably rare compared to pocket versions.

One for the collector or a super gift for the nautically-minded!