A very scarce silver 32-wind rose pocket compass by Groves & Barker, London c1861

A high quality 1⅜” diameter silver pocket compass having enamelled dial with hand painted 32-wind rose displaying cardinals, intercardinals, false points and by points, fleur de lys for north. Outer quadrant scale 0°-90°-0°-90°-0°, small arrow indicating magnetic north at the time. Polished flat steel bar needle with jewelled suspension, highly-polished silver reflector ring, low dome crystal. Silver open watch form case, suspension post and pinned bow with push-pull transit lock. The verso with hallmarks for Richard Groves and Francis Barker, London and 1861, the bow with hallmark for sterling silver.

In leather over wood, champagne silk and dark claret velvet travel case, snap closure on button release.

Condition: The compass remaining in completely original condition, the needle swinging freely and finding north easily. The enamel dial damage free, low dome crystal clear, one small original casting flaw. The silver case with a few light marks to verso, slight bruise at 7 o’clock, the hallmarks well-struck, the transit lock working correctly. The travel case in sound condition, the leather over the button replaced. Interestingly, although the compass fits perfectly into the case, the shape of the latter suggests that it might have originally been intended for a damp detector.

Comments: Compasses by Groves & Barker are hardly every seen – this, and the uncommon 32-wind rose dial, makes this compass very rare indeed.

Francis Barker started his own business, Francis Barker & Son, in 1848, and formed a separate partnership making sundials and maritime compasses with Richard Groves, a fellow apprentice from James & George Simms, in the same year. The partnership was dissolved in 1865.

Absolutely one for the collector or connoisseur, or a unique nautical interest gift.