Objects Database

Mils (Military) Compass

Accession Number

1215.2014.1

Object Name

Mils (Military) Compass

Created

15/01/2015

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

15/01/2015

Brief Description

Mils Military Compass in original case.

Materials

perspex,cotton, plastic

Dimensions

24.5(l) x 11(w) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

On packaging "EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOOR MILITARY MAP COMPASS ON LANYARD TRACPAC"

Colour

blue, clear

Maker

Tracpac

Provenance

Most people know that for navigational purposes a compass normally has a circle containing 360 degrees though not everyone knows that this is not always the case.
Since around 1960 the military have divided their compass circle into 6400 mils which is a short version of mil-radion, a way of dividing up a circle which is best left to the mathematicians. All we really need to know is that in this system there are 6400 mils in a circle and because there are a lot more mils than degrees, map reading, artillery fire and the like can become more accurate. The needle still points north, however, and most mils compasses will still have a degree scale somewhere as is the case with the excellent example we have here in the collection. It was bought on the internet for £1 in 2015.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

15/01/2015

Condition Check Date

15/01/2015

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

15/01/2015

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