Buy Antique Compass | RECENT ◉ |

Often shaped like a pocket watch with a flip-open lid (hunter case). These were popular with Victorian explorers and military officers.

High-quality antiques often feature hand-painted or engraved dials. Look for "crazing" (fine cracks) on paper dials, which often indicates genuine age. buy antique compass

Ensure the needle still finds North. A "dead" compass can sometimes be re-magnetized, but a cracked jewel bearing is much harder to fix. Often shaped like a pocket watch with a

Look for a maker's name (e.g., Stanley London , T. Cooke , or Short & Mason ) and a serial number. "London 1917" stamped into shiny brass is a common red flag for modern fakes. Look for "crazing" (fine cracks) on paper dials,

Larger, often housed in wood boxes or brass gimbals (swivel mounts) to stay level on a tossing ship.

Designed for heavy-duty sighting and map work; these often feature sighting wires and magnification lenses. 2. Verify Authenticity