This Interesting Relic Has Been Sold.
Thank you!

ORIGINAL 1950's CAST BRASS HAND BEARING COMPASS by Gordon Roberts, Mt. Vernon, New York

GORDON ROBERTS, "COMPASCOPE" HAND BEARING COMPASS - with original documentation

 

Presented is a hand bearing compass which was made popular in the 1950's by Gordon Roberts of Mt.Vernon, NY for small craft boaters.   The bowl is made from cast brass with a 2 inch compass card over which is mounted a low powered telescope that reads the bearing by way of a mirror. The user can see both the object being sighted and the compass card bearing at the same time. An accessory penlight attachés over the card for night use. Complete instructions and the original bill of sale dated June 26, 1953 are included. At one pound plus, it has the heft and feel of strength and durability. All this is housed in its original Mahogany case. 

The entire rig would look great on a desk and will appeal to a collector or in a room decorated in a nautical fashion.

USING A HAND BEARING COMPASS:  The seller has used a similar compass while at sea for an extended period. In this day of electronic navigation, they are still handy for the following purposes which are as valid now as they were 45 years ago. For those people who grew up with GPS, that system can not provide the information a  hand bearing compass can unless coupled to a Radar. And then you need to know Radar plotting to solve Closest Point of Approach situations. Here's how to use this compass:

WHILE UNDERWAY:

• Take bearings of vessels in crossing situations to determine risk of collision. 
• Take bearings of sea buoys, land marks or other objects to determine distance off at time of passing
• In congested waters, take bearings of a number of different vessels to determine if their relative position is constant or changing.
• Sailors learn to take back bearings to determine your leeway

                           
                              AT ANCHOR:
                                             

• Always take anchor bearings of own vessel to make sure you are not dragging.
• Take bearings of other vessels to make sure they are not a danger to you.

 

The compass card is seen in reverse above because it is intended to be viewed through the prism which reflects the image in its proper orientation.

DIMENSIONS:

COMPASS:      2 1/2" bowl,  2" card, 6" length overall
TEAK CASE:    7 1/2"H x 4 1/2" W x 3" D
WEIGHT:         Compass 1 lbs 2 3/4 oz,                        In case 2 lbs 9 1/2 oz

CONDITION: The two inch compass card swings freely. The mirror shows some degradation with age and affects the clarity when reading the card. There is no fluid dampening the action. There is some paint loss as would be expected. The penlight works.  The Mahogany wood case is in excellent condition, but shows some minor handling marks. 

This is the perfect item for those who have an interest in navigation, or want to have a vintage hand bearing compass to display 

 

Optical Mahogany storage case

Original invoice dated June 26, 1953

STANDARD FLAT RATE SHIPPING to the 48 contiguous States $15.00

OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental United States if an error is due to our fault.

 

International buyers welcome , but inquire first.  We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark,Dubai, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

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