A Francis Barker & Son pocket Compass, dating from c.1875, with a brass box case, push-fit lid, paper compass card, jewelled pivot, and English bar needle. The compass is signed on the card below the fleur de lys at the North point with the distinctive 'Trade Mark London' Barker logo. The reversed letter 'S' that forms part of the logo dates the compass to soon after 1875, as this style of logo was adopted after Francis Barker's death in 1875.
Francis Barker & Son Ltd: Francis Barker & Son: were established in Clerkenwell, London in 1848, as a maker of compasses and scientific instruments. For the next 100 years the company was one of the most prominent British scientific instrument makers. Francis Barker was a master craftsman who produced a very wide range of compass designs over the years, supplying major retailers such as Negretti & Zambra, J. Lizars, C. W. Dixey, Casella, Dollond, and many others. Francis Barker died in 1875, but his company prospered until 1932, when it was taken over and became F. Barker & Son (1932). During WW2 the company was a major supplier to the British government, with their iconic Barker Mk III liquid prismatic service compass being standard issue to the armed forces. After WW2 the company changed hands several times, relocating to Edenbridge in Kent in 1961. The business is still based in Kent, and is now owned by Pyser Optics, 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, good working order, and points strongly to North. The brass case and lid have some marks and some wear to the original lacquered finish. There is a small blemish to the underside of the glass at the edge near the south point. The transit lock is working well.
Dimensions: 45mm diameter x 14mm height
