These items have been sold, and the description, image and price ($US) are for reference purposes only.

There are several types of compasses, including:

The magnetic compass is believed to have been first invented by the Chinese during the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE). However, it was not used for navigation until the Song dynasty (960-1279 CE), when Chinese navigators began using it to navigate ships at sea. The magnetic compass was first brought to Europe by traders during the 12th century, and it quickly became an essential tool for navigation.

During the Age of Exploration, the magnetic more... compass played a crucial role in the success of voyages of discovery, such as those of Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan. In the centuries that followed, the compass was improved upon and combined with other navigational tools, such as the sextant and chronometer, to allow for more accurate navigation at sea.

In the early 20th century, the magnetic compass was replaced by more advanced navigation systems such as radar and GPS less...

Antique French silver & carnelian glass rosary marked French…
French Silver & Carnelian Glass Rosary with Compass Marking

Antique French silver & carnelian glass rosary marked French silver small mark & compass?. Approx length 21.26 in.

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Antique novelty fob compass, size 16.5 mm
Antique novelty fob compass, 16.5 mm - Rare Collectible Item

Antique novelty fob compass, size 0.65 in.

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A prismatic compass by Troughton & Simms made for Gaunt & Co.,…
Mid-20th Century Prismatic Compass by Troughton & Simms

A prismatic compass by Troughton & Simms made for Gaunt & Co., Melbourne, mid 20th century, the folding instrument stamped Pmg, with leather case stamped Pmg, the case 5.12 in. long

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An antique French brass vineyard setters compass, circa 1890s,…
French Brass Vineyard Setters Compass and Scientific Surveying Instruments

An antique French brass vineyard setters compass, circa 1890s, together with two brass and black metal scientific and surveying instruments, late 19th century, one raised on a wooden stand marked Cary, London, the largest 7.87 in. high

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A Prismatic brass surveyor's compass, by Stanley, London, circa…
Stanley Prismatic Brass Surveyor's Compass (London, circa 1900)

A Prismatic brass surveyor's compass, by Stanley, London, circa 1900, with leather carrying case and shoulder strap, 2.76 in. diameter (approx.)

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A ship's compass in gimbaled brass mount, 44 cm diameter overall
Gimbaled Brass Mount Ship's Compass: 44cm Diameter

A ship's compass in gimbaled brass mount, 17.32 in. diameter overall

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Vintage Seibel naval gimble compass brass and steel cased naval…
Vintage Seibel Naval Gimble Compass - Type T1A, #2427

Vintage Seibel naval gimble compass brass and steel cased naval compass, marked 'Type T1A,' and # 2427, diameter 6.50 in. dial.

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W.H Harling Architechural instruments, carved wooden box with…
CT Good's Architectural Instrument Box

W.H Harling Architechural instruments, carved wooden box with compass and rulers belonging to Charles Thomas 'Ct' good, Adelaides Leading Architect around 1900's and designer of her Majesty's Theatre

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Henry Browne & Son Ltd boxed marine gimbal compass Barking &…
Marine Gimbal Compass by Henry Browne & Son Ltd

Henry Browne & Son Ltd boxed marine gimbal compass Barking & London, 7.68 in. x 7.68 in., 4.72 in. highbox lid missing

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E. Esdaile & Sons Sydney boxed marine compass 17 cm x 21 cm, 11…
Sydney Marine Compass with Missing Cover

E. Esdaile & Sons Sydney boxed marine compass 6.69 in. x 8.27 in., 4.33 in. high clear box cover missing

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Sestrel Britain boxed marine gimbal compass 22.5 cm x 22.5 cm,…
Sestrel Britain Marine Gimbal Compass - Compact and Precise

Sestrel Britain boxed marine gimbal compass 8.86 in. x 8.86 in., 5.91 in. high

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Barker patent 1926 combined compass & Clinometer stamped…
Peacock Auckland 1879 Compass-Clinometer with Barker Patent 1926

Barker patent 1926 combined compass & Clinometer stamped peacock Auckland 1879 with leather case,

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An E.Esdaile & Sons, Sydney compass, c.1930, marked to reverse…
Sydney compass c.1930 with leather case

An E.Esdaile & Sons, Sydney compass, c.1930, marked to reverse W.T Forrrest, with leather case

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A brass surveying dial compass, no. 1750 by E Kraft & Sohn,…
Vienna Brass Surveying Compass, 1860

A brass surveying dial compass, no. 1750 by E Kraft & Sohn, Vienna, circa 1860, 4.92 in. high, 4.92 in. wide, 0.79 in. deep

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A gimbaled brass ships compass by Geomar, Madrid & Hamburg,…
Geomar Gimbaled Brass Ships Compass, 1940

A gimbaled brass ships compass by Geomar, Madrid & Hamburg, circa 1940, the dial 10.63 in. diameter

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A brass miner's dial by E. Kraft & Sohn, Vienna, no. 318, late…
Brass Miner's Dial and Surveyor's Compass Set

A brass miner's dial by E. Kraft & Sohn, Vienna, no. 318, late 19th century, together with a brass surveyors compass, the boxed compass 2.36 in. high, 10.63 in. wide, 7.48 in. deep

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An antique mounted brass compass together with a compass, 19th…
19th Century Brass Compass with Mount

An antique mounted brass compass together with a compass, 19th century, the largest 4.72 in. high, 3.74 in. wide

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A compass belonging to air chief Marshal Sir Keith park, Gcb,…
Sir Keith Park's Compass with Provenance

A compass belonging to air chief Marshal Sir Keith park, Gcb, KBE, MC & Bar, DFC (1892-1975) R.A.F. Type 06A, cased, hand-held with ebonised finish, in grey painted box with stencilled details, together with an old label, detailed in pen 'Compass S/N 33632

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Negretti and Zambra bearing compass in cedar box with brass…
Negretti & Zambra Cedar Box Bearing Compass

Negretti and Zambra bearing compass in cedar box with brass fittings, stamped 'Negretti & Zambra, London, C.M.O. 20', the box 7.09 in. high, 9.25 in. wide, 8.46 in. deep.

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Four fob watches and a compass includes a base metal Westclox…
Non-functional Antique Watches and Compass Lot

Four fob watches and a compass includes a base metal Westclox working*, metal compass * not working, Sterling silver Waltham *not working, a metal Reliance J.Hart W. Matiland Swiss made * not working, a metal Hardy Bros Sydney * not working. * when tested.

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19th century silver etui case, holding single knife, 10ct…
Antique Silver Etui with Knife, Compass, and Buddha Charm

19th century silver etui case, holding single knife, 10ct compass charm, silver Buddha charm holding miniature dice

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'Sestrel' hand bearing compass by Henry Brown & Son Ltd. London…
Early 20th Century Sestrel Hand Bearing Compass

'Sestrel' hand bearing compass by Henry Brown & Son Ltd. London fitted with a wet card compass having cardinal points & sight ing prism in case with Company logo plaque attached to the door panel. Early 20th century. Height 12.01 in. (case)

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An early 20th century 'T. Peacock & Son, Auckland, New Zealand'…
Antique Brass Compass with Leather Case and Viewing Sights

An early 20th century 'T. Peacock & Son, Auckland, New Zealand' brass compass in original leather case, with folding viewing sights and screw-receptacle for stand, diameter 2.95 in., named to covering plate, in original stitched leather case

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A brass cased field compass retailled by Otto Boettger,…
Boettger Field Compass with Silvered Dial and Fitted Case

A brass cased field compass retailled by Otto Boettger, Adelaide with a silvered dial and gun metal hands, fitted case 4.13 in. diameter

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A gunmetal cased compass retailed by Kilpatrick & Co.,…
Gunmetal Compass by Kilpatrick & Co

A gunmetal cased compass retailed by Kilpatrick & Co., Melbourne 2.56 in. diameter

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French nautical compass, by Bbt Doignon, with black circular…
French Brass Nautical Compass (8 words)

French nautical compass, by Bbt Doignon, with black circular dial in brass fitting, diameter 12.60 in.

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19th century compass, in barrel type turned fruitwood case
Barrel Compass in Fruitwood Case

19th century compass, in barrel type turned fruitwood case

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A sterling silver miniature compass, square shaped. Length 25…
Square Sterling Silver Miniature Compass

A sterling silver miniature compass, square shaped. Length 0.98 in. Weight all in 5.3g.

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Victorian brass compass lid engraved, 'Baker, 244 High Holborn,…
Victorian Brass Compass with Engraved Lid

Victorian brass compass lid engraved, 'Baker, 244 High Holborn, London,' diameter 2.95 in.

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A c.1900 small gimballed compass and finely carved ivory pig,…
Gimballed compass and ivory pig in mahogany box

A c.1900 small gimballed compass and finely carved ivory pig, the compass in mahogany box by F. Barker & Son, the finely carved sow with head slightly raised.

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Travel set including torch, knife, compass, etc
Adventure Essentials Kit

Travel set including torch, knife, compass, etc

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Antique Scientific Instruments i) a brass microscope with some…
Brass Microscope and Mahogany Compass Case

Antique Scientific Instruments i) a brass microscope with some accessories, extra lens, slide mount, height 6.30 in., II) a mahogany and brass compass case width 2.76 in.

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A US military compass by superior Magneto Corp New York,…
Superior Magneto Corp Military Compass for Elite Personnel

A US military compass by superior Magneto Corp New York, Generally issued only to Cia, special Forces of officers in the US army

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A rare US Airforce Pioneer/Bendix B-17 bomber compass, thought…
Rare US Airforce Compass with Versatile Capabilities

A rare US Airforce Pioneer/Bendix B-17 bomber compass, thought to be the only one of its type in Australia it was soon found that this compass was adaptable, versatile & reliable enough to be used in a variety of other roles, once landed it could be quickl

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Antique hand held ship's Sestrel compass made by Henry Brown &…
Antique Sestrel Compass by Henry Brown & Solds

Antique hand held ship's Sestrel compass made by Henry Brown & Solds, Barking & London.

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An early 20th century French military/surveyor's alidade…
French Military Alidade Compass with Folding Mahogany Case

An early 20th century French military/surveyor's alidade compass, invented by Paul Peigne, the mahogany case with boxwood 6.30 in. rule to one side of the folding case, brass and ebonised metal fittings.

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Two Edwardian Short & Mason compasses and a compass board,…
Edwardian Compass Set with Board and Pouches

Two Edwardian Short & Mason compasses and a compass board, early 20th century, a prismatic brass compass, number 313 and dated 1904, and; a Verner's pattern compass, number 534 dated 1908, both in original leather pouches, one marked G.I.T, the other F.L.C

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Negretti and Zambra bearing compass in box, 20th century,…
Negretti & Zambra Bearing Compass in Box

Negretti and Zambra bearing compass in box, 20th century, stamped Negretti & Zambra, London, C.M.O. 20, the box 7.09 in. high, 9.25 in. wide, 8.46 in. deep

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A cased Geometry set including compass, Protractor, slide,…
Complete Geometry Set with Case

A cased Geometry set including compass, Protractor, slide, pencil

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A rare brass and glass ships compass labelled G. Plath, Hamburg,…
G. Plath Brass and Glass Ship Compass

A rare brass and glass ships compass labelled G. Plath, Hamburg, Germany

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Late 19th century ships Pelorus compass by Whyte & Thomson of…
Antique Pelorus Compass with Sighting Veins

Late 19th century ships Pelorus compass by Whyte & Thomson of Glasgow in original mahogany box with azimuth sighting veins

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Vintage brass compass, 6.5 cm diameter
Vintage Brass Compass - 6.5cm Diameter

Vintage brass compass, 2.56 in. diameter

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A boxed compass, barometer and thermometer, circa 1900,…
Antique Weather Instruments with Silver Box

A boxed compass, barometer and thermometer, circa 1900, retailed by C Werner & Co Ltd, Melbourne 150/250, 3.74 in. diameter, together with a silver box

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Vintage bronzed prismatic compass with original leather case,…
Bronzed Prismatic Compass with Leather Case by Littlejohn & Son

Vintage bronzed prismatic compass with original leather case, retailed by Littlejohn & Son, Wellington

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A large 19th century ships compass in brass
19th Century Brass Ship Compass

A large 19th century ships compass in brass

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A World War I period prismatic field compass by John Wardale…
WWI Prismatic Field Compass by John Wardale & Co

A World War I period prismatic field compass by John Wardale &Co. London, dated 1918. 3.15 in. x 2.17 in.

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A compass & map reader, converts centremetres to kilometres
Compass and Map Reader with Metric Conversion

A compass & map reader, converts centremetres to kilometres

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Military compass
Precision Navigation: Military Compass

Military compass

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A plated ink stand desk set. Compass flanked by ink bottles on…
Plated Ink Stand Desk Set with Compass & Bottles

A plated ink stand desk set. Compass flanked by ink bottles on scrolled feet. 7.87 in. high

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18th century circumferentor or surveyor's compass by Troughton…
Troughton & Sons 18th Century Surveyor's Compass

18th century circumferentor or surveyor's compass by Troughton and Sons, London complete in original fitted case. Length 12.20 in.

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A compass by Tiffany & Co., from the 'Atlas' collection, styled…
Tiffany & Co. Atlas Compass in Sterling Silver

A compass by Tiffany & Co., from the 'Atlas' collection, styled in sterling silver with a circular border of Roman numerals to the exterior, boxed, diameter 1.57 in.

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A vintage compass by E.R. Watts & Son London. Brass, with…
E.R. Watts & Son Vintage Brass Compass with Pouch

A vintage compass by E.R. Watts & Son London. Brass, with leather pouch

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An old Victorian patinated brass surveyors sight compass with…
Victorian Surveyor's Sight Compass with Leather Case

An old Victorian patinated brass surveyors sight compass with fitted leather case. Made by Stanley, London. Length 6.69 in.

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A good 19th century heavy brass English mining dial with sight…
19th Century English Mining Dial with Sight Compass

A good 19th century heavy brass English mining dial with sight compass, levels and protractor. Signed on dial 'Davis, Derby' mounted with turning shaft and adjustments on an octagonal oak base. Used by surveyors above and below ground. Width 9.45 in.

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