This Fine Relic Has Been Sold. Thank You!   OUTSTANDING 1942 U.S. NAVY PELORUS TWIN DOLPHIN DISPLAY MOUNTING

 

 

PRESENTED is a magnificently made display of a navigation instrument called a pelorus which is used to take relative bearings of terrestrial objects in determining a vessels position. This pelorus, and its brass cover or hood, is magnificently held between two vintage bronze dolphins. They possibly are cast in the style of the U.S. Navy Submarine Service. Both are mounted on a thick Pine wood block. The word pelorus comes from the name of the guide who directed Hannibal's army from Carthage to Rome in 218 B.C.

 

 

 

The instrument consists of a compass rose with North in the form of a Flur De Lis as the zero indicator with the cardinal points having directional coordinates "lettered as N, S, E, W" that are further subdivided by diamonds shaped markings which further divides the circle into NE, SE, SW, NW. The outside ring is in the customary Navy increments of one degree, with a notation each ten degrees. The plastic compass rose is set inside a bronze ring on gimbals and is weighted so that it remains level during the ships movements. Originally, it would have been mounted in a pedestal on the vessel's conning tower or bridge wings or housed in a case. It has been mounted in an elaborate way between twin dolphin which allows it to be displayed with magnificence in almost any setting.

 

 

There are two sighting vanes which are aimed at a terrestrial object with the bearing read off the compass card. These bearings are compared to the vessel's compass heading which then gives the magnetic bearing to the object. Bearings of two objects, taken sequentially, will fix the vessel's position. Similar observations of a rising or setting sun when on the prime vertical allow for determining compass error. A third arm, with a polished black glass reflector, allow similar sights to be taken of celestial bodies when on the horizon.

 

CONDITION: Except the lock for the sighting vanes not engaging, some minor dents in the brass hood and on the lower black shroud, and some loss of paint in a few spots, the item is in like new condition and may be considered of exceptional quality. In the base is a lead weight and receptacle with light bulb.

 

DIMENSIONS PELORUS:

 

Diameter of outer ring                 10 1/4 inches

Diameter of compass card            7 1/2 inches

Minimum height on stand             16 inches

Weight                                           30 /2 Lbs 

 

DIMENSIONS DOLPHINS:

 

12" H x 5 1/2" D x 2 1/4" W          Add 1 1/2" for small base

 

DIMENSIONS OF BASE: 

 

PROVENANCE: From an Estate in Wiscasset, ME. The maker's plate, under which is a faint Navy Inspector's stamp, i.e. U with anchor in between S, reads:

 

U.S. Navy Standard Pelorus

7 1/2 inch illuminated dial

Mark III Mod 0 Serial N 2241

W.M. Welch Manufacturing Co. Chicago

 

International buyers welcome, but inquire first.  We have satisfied customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless due to our error.

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted on big ticket items.

This is an outstanding find for a serious collector who is seeking only the most unusual and best quality nautical instruments.

Copyright 2007 by Land And Sea Collection, All rights reserved