A Francis Barker & Son hunter-cased pocket compass, dating from c.1880. Although there are no maker's marks, the compass features several well-known Francis Barker design elements, including an aluminium compass card with a 'Star' pattern at the centre, an English bar needle, and the glass marked in red with the four cardinal points. This particular model also has the exceptionally fine pivot arrangement usually only seen in Barker's 'Pebble Lens' compasses - with the pivot pin passing through the centre of the needle, and the top of the pin locating in a bevelled recess in the underside of the glass. The result is a very sensitive and smooth needle movement.
Examples of this design are known to have been produced by Francis Barker & Son from the 1870's to the early 1900's. As was the case with many of Barker's products, most of these compasses were supplied unsigned to retailers, who often signed and sold them as their own products. Versions of this Barker design can be seen on p.177 of Trade Mark London by Paul Crepsel (available to view as a PDF at trademarklondon.com). Another example, with the Barker 'Trade Mark London' logo at the North point of the star design, can be seen at compassmuseum.com.
Francis Barker & Son: were established in London in 1848, as a maker of compasses and scientific instruments. Francis Barker produced a very wide range of compass designs over the years, supplying major retailers such as Negretti & Zambra, J. Lizars, C. W. Dixey, Dollond, and many others. The company prospered until 1932, when it was taken over and became F. Barker & Son (1932). After WW2 the company changed hands several times and the business is now owned by Pyser Optics of Edenbridge in Kent, who continue to produce the renowned Francis Barker M-73, widely acknowledged to be the world's finest prismatic compass.
Condition:
In very good condition, full working order, and finds North well, although the needle can be a little slow to settle. The brass case is in very good condition, with signs of wear and use and a few marks. Most of the original bronzed finish has worn away from the exterior of the case. The lid retains its original bronzed finish on the interior. The aluminium compass card, bar needle, pivot, and glass are all in very good condition. The transit lock is working well.
Dimensions : 50mm diameter (75mm including loop)
