This Fine Relic Has Been Sold. Thank you!   EXCEPTIONAL  ROYAL NAVY PYRAMID BINNACLE BOAT COMPASS BY FAMOUS ENGLISH MAKER "DENT & Co."!   How many wood cased binnacle compasses have you seen that is designed like a pyramid? Not only are they rare in the general market, this is the first to be offered for sale in recent times. Most are only seen in museums or books. Presented is one of the finest and handsomest wood cased binnacle compasses ever offered for sale with an astounding weight of 27 pounds. Its pyramid design for the Royal Navy dates back to earlier then 1862 by English maker E.J. Dent. Dent was mainly know for his work in time pieces and chronometers in determining longitude, but they also invented the liquid compass in 1853 which became the standard for the Royal Navy and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. In 1859 "Big Ben", the giant clock of Dent's manufacture was put in service at the Houses of Parliament. The company continues in business today as makers of watches. PROVENANCE: In 1890, four compass makers, consisting of Lilley, Reynolds, Highes, and Dent were invited by the Admiralty to compete in the design of a new compass that would be suitable for steamboats as well as sailboats and pulling boats. They were to be liquid filled, and it was specified that candles be used for lighting rather than oil lamps since this had proved to be better when used on the newly developed torpedo craft of that early age.                 Patt 182, Serial Number 432 At the time, Dent had been making compasses for the Royal Navy for over 50 years, and won the competition on all counts. Its compass was introduced as Pattern 20 in 1892. In 1907, the number was changed to Pattern 182 and it remained in service until the end of WW I. This example of a Pattern 182 pyramid binnacle compass, and its candle lamp are of museum quality, a term we don't use lightly. It shows very little wear for its 100 years of age, and may be considered in near new condition. THE CASE has a brass hood with two slanted large beveled glass ports. On the other two sides are slanted panels with a smaller window against which the elegant lamp which contains the candle holder can be mounted. The back panel has peep holes and a mounting that allows for a sliding brass door or the placement of the lamp. The top of the binnacle is equipped with a thick folding wood and brass bail. The base has a wood door which opens to expose a lock for the gimbals, and a brass tube which likely held a Findler's bar. All together, it makes a most impressive example of an important small Royal Navy binnacle that is of the highest grade. THE CARD has North marked by an elaborate Fleur de les as the pointer. As in most early cards, no degrees are present. The compass rose shows the eight cardinal points and is further divided to 1/16 points and then to 32. It measures 6 3/6 inches in diameter. The chamber is clear of sediment.   Whyte -Thomson, Glasgow, is engraved on the card, but the upper brass ring of the compass bowl is marked Patt 182, No 432 which is the serial number. Since the compass bowl is correct, we can assume that the card was replaced during a periodic inspection as required by the Navy. This was not unusual when parts of many similar designs were used as replacement stock.        Back side peep holes and bracket                Lamps candle holder This very handsome vintage compass with the rare early style wood dovetailed wood case and a candle burner lamp is exceptional throughout. DIMENSIONS: Diameter of bowl 5 1/8" Diameter of card 4 1/2" Base 8 3/4" Square                                                Height 15" with handle raised WEIGHT  27 pounds DENT'S BRIEF HISTORY: The history of Dent & Co. spans three centuries of precision watch and clock making in Great Britain. Established in 1814 by Edward J. Dent, the company embraced the Victorian fervor for technological innovation and created precision chronometers to navigate the Royal Navy and guide some of the most intrepid explorers on their voyages. The British Empire was in full expansion and its maritime tradition had produced some remarkable technological breakthroughs from the late 18th century; John Harrison’s triumphant mechanical solution in 1764 to locate a ship’s position at sea won the coveted Board of Longitudes prize money and further consolidated Britain as the horological force in the world.  Propelling the impetus of Britain’s primacy, Dent proved a key player in Victorian horological history manufacturing the Standard Clock at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich which was to keep “Greenwich Mean Time”  the time to which all others in the Empire were referred, (better known today as G.M.T.) and continued to do so until replaced by an electronic clock in 1946.  Dent also made probably the most famous clock in the world - the Great Clock for the Houses of Parliament, familiarly known as Big Ben. OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original condition and packaging. Returns must be insured for their full value. All that is required is a prior email authorization by us for the return. Unfortunately, no refund can be made for the cost of shipping, packaging and handling unless we are at fault. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS WELCOME, but contact us first. We have customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, 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. 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 represents a chance to own a very scarce Royal Navy wood cased pyramid binnacle boat compass of exceptional design and quality made by the world renown company.  Copyright 2007 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved