A J. H. Steward Singer's Patent-type Pocket Military Compass, dating from c.1885 - 1910. This compass appeared in the 1893 edition of the J. H. Steward catalogue of Military Instruments: 'with half black and half white dial, and unmistakable luminous painted N. and S. and luminous direction line on lid, as supplied for the Egyptian Campaign'. The mother-of-pearl compass card is hand painted in the classic Singer's design, and signed by 'J. H. Steward. London'. The compass has the four cardinal points marked in red on the underside of the glass, and a large triangular marker at the North point which would originally have been luminous. The type of luminous paint used was most probably 'Balmain's Luminous Paint', a compound of calcium sulphide that was made luminous by exposure to sunlight or by burning a strip of magnesium ribbon near the compass card. It was patented in England by William Balmain in 1877, and was often used in compasses during the last quarter of the 19th century. The compass has a jewelled pivot, brass hunter case, and a transit lock operated when the lid is closed. The brass case would originally have had an 'oxydised' or bronzed finish - this has worn away from the exterior, but is still present on the interior of the lid. There is a paper sighting line glued to the interior of the lid.
J. H. Steward Ltd: James Henry Steward (1817-1896) established his business in London in 1852 as a maker and retailer of optical, scientific, military and surveying instruments. J.H. Steward was the head optician of the company and had businesses at 406 Strand, 457 West Strand and 54 Cornhill in London. In the mid 1800s he became the optician to Her Majesty's Government and the National Rifle, and National Artillery Associations. James Henry Steward died in 1896. J. H. Steward Ltd was incorporated in 1912 and continued in business in London until 1973. The main London office was sold in 1971, and from 1971-1973 the company rented premises in Catherine Street. All the remaining stock and long serving staff member George Goble (c.1916-1975) were moved to Catherine Street. The business finally moved to 154a Church Road, Hove, Sussex in 1973, before finally ceasing trading in 1975.
Samuel Berry Singer (1796 - c.1875) was a master mariner from Southampton when he patented his unique compass card design in July 1861. Its high contrast design was intended to be much easier to read in low light than conventional compasses of the time. His design was widely adopted by scientific instrument makers, but Singer himself did not benefit greatly from his invention, the patent lapsed in 1868, and he ended his days living in poverty in Kincardine on the Firth of Forth. Versions of his design continued to be made until the First World War.
Condition:
In very good condition and full working order. The compass finds North well and the transit lock is working, locking the card when the lid is closed. The compass card and glass are in very good condition. The brass case is in good condition, with some wear and marks.
Dimensions: 46mm diameter (65mm including loop)
