surveyor's compass
Datecirca 1813
Inventory Number5193
ClassificationSurveyor's Compass
Subject
Maker
W. & S. Jones
fl. 1791 - 1859
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionscompass: 4.5 × 27 × 10.2 cm (1 3/4 × 10 5/8 × 4 in.)
case: 5.7 × 27.5 × 12.2 cm (2 1/4 × 10 13/16 × 4 13/16 in.)
blue board box: 7 × 30.8 × 28.6 cm (2 3/4 × 12 1/8 × 11 1/4 in.)
case: 5.7 × 27.5 × 12.2 cm (2 1/4 × 10 13/16 × 4 13/16 in.)
blue board box: 7 × 30.8 × 28.6 cm (2 3/4 × 12 1/8 × 11 1/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionAll brass instrument with two removable sighting vanes. Both have a narrow and a wider slit (in which a plumb bob was suspended for leveling purposes). There are no bubble levels.
The silvered dial's face has eight cardinal points, with a central floral pattern and an N for identifying North. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-360°), divided in degrees, marked every ten. The needle is suspended by a steel point. There is no lifter arm and no ball-and-socket joint, only a socket head to mount it on a staff.
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a pine box with brass hinges and lock.
The silvered dial's face has eight cardinal points, with a central floral pattern and an N for identifying North. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-360°), divided in degrees, marked every ten. The needle is suspended by a steel point. There is no lifter arm and no ball-and-socket joint, only a socket head to mount it on a staff.
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a pine box with brass hinges and lock.
Signedon dial: W & S JONES / Holborn London
FunctionThe surveyor's compass is an instrument used in surveying (or in navigation in rare cases) to measure horizontal angles, what is called bearing or azimuth.
For a nice discussion of this intrument, see the following website.
For a nice discussion of this intrument, see the following website.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Saul Moskowitz, Marblehead, Massachusetts, November 23, 1973. Donated to CHSI February 2, 1977.
George Adams (I)
Date: 1750-1772
Accessories: carrying case; cover plate (missing)
Object number: DW0687
Charles Pool
Date: 1820-1835
Accessories: carrying case; ball-and-socket joint; extra needle; plumb bob; glass vial; brass plates
Object number: 5194
William J. Young
Date: 1820-1840
Accessories: ball-and-socket joint; carrying case
Object number: 5189
Samuel Thaxter & Son
Date: 1822-1831
Accessories: protective cushioned cloth; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
Object number: 5180
J. Pool & Company
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5200
Chamberlain & Ritchie
Date: 1850-1854
Accessories: carrying case; tripod (5129b)
Object number: 5129a
H. M. Pool & Brothers
Date: 1853-1858
Accessories: belt grip; dial cover plate; lifter arm; carrying case
Object number: 5188
William J. Young
Date: 1840-1855
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5190
See also/See also
