A very scarce Victorian gimballed Singer Patent marine compass in teak case by Francis Barker, London c1875

Nautical dry card compass having 2½″ diameter hand drawn Singer Patent dial displaying cardinals and intercardinals, Singer trademark star and lyre indicating north, and outer scale 0°-360°. Card suspended on jewelled pivot, the verso with magnetic needle, balanced with sealing wax. All within a white painted brass bowl, japanned to outside, set on lacquered brass gimballed mountings and contained within a velvet lined hardwood, probably teak, case, brass hinges and push button release.

Condition: The instrument in very good original condition, the compass card flat, some signs of ageing, the needle easily finding north. The original glass with a very few light marks. The gimbals working correctly. The case in good condition, slight offset to lid.

Comments: This nautical gimballed Singer 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. There are signs that originally the dial carried the Barker “Trademark London” logogram but this has faded greatly, meaning that it is not possible to say whether this compass was made just before or just after Francis Barker’s death in 1875.

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

One for the collector.