Antique prismatic compass having hand-drawn 2½” green dry card dial reverse-marked to 360 degrees with stations at 10 degree increments divided to 1 degrees. North indicated by decorative fleur-de-lys. Dial marked to the centre by the maker “Elliott Bros., Strand, London.” Schmalcalder pattern folding sight with sighting wire and fold-up prism with sliding dust covers to opposing side. Card transit lock activated by sighting vane closure. Lacquered brass spun drum-form case with spun-brass lid, marked to exterior “Poles Clinometer” and serial “No. 27.”

Push-fit clinometer to verso, utilising similar hand-drawn “Elliott Bros., Strand, London” marked green dry card dial, the vertical indicated by the decorative fleur-de-lys.

A rare and unusual instrument, in very good original working condition. The compass swinging freely and finding north easily, the clinometer swinging freely and settling quickly to the vertical. The green card dials clean, the heavy spun brass case retaining some of its original lacquered finish. The protective brass cover for the clinometer lacking.

The clinometer is used by detaching it from the verso and re-attaching it over the compass, thereby enabling use of the sighting vane and prism. The use of the same green card dial for the clinometer as the compass probably just an indication of cost-saving/utilising resources!

Despite extensive research, we have been only come across one other example, No 26, which is in the collection of the David Livingstone Centre in Scotland and which was carried by Livingstone on his travels. This, and the low serial number, suggest that “Poles” was a variant which was only manufactured in very small numbers, all of which adds to this instrument’s desirability.

A real collector’s piece!

Dimensions: 3″ diameter x 1½” deep

Stock No: SI0848

Price: SOLD