Objects Database

MARK 1 Magnetic Marching Compass

Accession Number

1373.2016.1

Object Name

MARK 1 Magnetic Marching Compass

Created

16/12/2016

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

16/12/2016

Brief Description

Magnetic marching compass in folding case with carrying handle

Materials

Bakelite(?)

Dimensions

8(L) x 6(W) x 2(D) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

On case "COMPASS MAGNETIC MARCHING MARK 1 ↑
B249708 T.G.CO.LTD"

Colour

black

Maker

T.G.Co.Ltd aka F Barker & Son

Object Production Place

England

Provenance

For anyone interested in old compasses there's an excellent site on the internet called COMPASSIPEDIA and much of the following information is derived from that site.
Rather confusingly the TG Co Ltd. stamped on the compass was an abbreviation of the Gramophone Company and it seems the abbreviation was only used during World War Two which dates this compass very nicely to 1944/5. In reality a firm called F Barker & Son actually made the compass which is indicated by the 'B' in the serial number.
Lots of military gear ended up in government surplus shops after the war with much of it going to the outdoor fraternity and having been donated by Bert Barnett, a stalwart of the Scottish hills, we assume that's how he came by it.
The much lighter and more user friendly, Silva type compass captured the market in the 1960/70's consigning these ones to collections like ours.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Bert Barnett

Acquisition Date

16/12/2016

Condition Check Date

16/12/2016

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

16/12/2016

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