The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
1014.2012.1
Victorinox compass
26/09/2012
Hermione Cooper
26/09/2012
Victorinox hinged mirror sight compass in original box
perspex
7.5(l) x 5(w) cms
1
On box "VICTORINOX SWISS COMPASS DO-150 10 FEATURES"
On compass "RECTA SWISS MADE VICTORINOX DS 40 "
red
Victorinox
Switzerland
Karl Elsener started making cutlery in Switzerland in 1884 and began supplying soldiers knives to the Swiss army in 1891. The unique shield and cross emblem was adopted in 1909, and combining his mother's name with a shortened version of the Swiss word for stainless steel (inox) in 1921 Elsener created an iconic brand which continues to this day - Victoria + inox to make Victorinox.
Originally called the Swiss Officer's Knife, it was sold to a much wider market after World War II and it seems the American footsoldiers preferred 'Swiss Army knife' and the name stuck.
Quite how the little compass we have here on our collection fits into the Victorinox empire we are not sure as the 2012 website does not list this form of compass. The company expanded into different markets at the end of the 1900's:- travel, fashion and fragrances and we suspect this simple but functional compass may have been part of a new range that was subsequently discontinued.
It was given to Mick Tighe by his pal, John McCall circa 1995 and dates from that era.
Donated by John McCall
26/09/2012
26/09/2012
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
26/09/2012