{"product_id":"f-barker-verners-patent-mk-iii-compass-1899","title":"F. Barker \u0026 Son Verner's Mk III Compass (1899)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Francis Barker \u0026amp; Son Verner’s Mk III Military Service Compass, dating from 1899. This was one of the earliest designs produced by Lt-Colonel William Willoughby Cole Verner, and featured in his book \u003cem\u003eSome Notes on Military Topography \u003c\/em\u003e(1891), in which it was described as being suitable for ‘Night marching and outpost work’. The J. H. Steward catalogue for 1899 noted that 'These compasses have been adopted by Her Majesty's Government' and 'It is a thoroughly useful compass for Night Work and rough sketching purposes, and for work in the Colonies, the Bush, or for cyclists and travellers generally'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe compass has a brass case, engraved with the maker's name 'F. Barker \u0026amp; Son', Mark III, the serial number 1762, the War Office 'Broad Arrow' mark, and the date 1899. The 'Broad Arrow' mark indicates that this compass was official government issue, rather than an officer's private purchase item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe central section of the compass card was painted with a version of 'Balmain's Luminous Paint' (patented by William Balmain in 1877, and made luminous by exposure to very bright light), and has a large black arrow head North marker. There is a transit lock operated by depressing a small lever and sliding a button on the side of the case, and a rotating bezel with a direction bar fixed to the underside of the glass, used to set compass bearings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLt-Colonel Willoughby Verner (1852-1922)\u003c\/strong\u003e was a soldier and prolific inventor of military scientific instruments, with his patented compasses being standard issue in the British army from the 1890s to the start of the Second World War. Verner also patented a Cavalry Sketching Board that was used throughout WW1, and wrote extensively on military subjects. Verner joined the Rifle Brigade in 1874 and served in the Sudan and the Boer War, later becoming the official historian of the Rifle Brigade. His published works included \u003cem\u003eSketches in the Soudan\u003c\/em\u003e (1885) and \u003cem\u003eRapid Field-Sketching and Reconnaissance\u003c\/em\u003e (1889). Today Verner is undoubtedly best known for his series of military compasses, mostly produced by J. H. Steward, Francis Barker, and Elliot Brothers between c.1891 and 1918. The earliest of these compasses, and several of Verner's other innovations are well described and illustrated in his book \u003cem\u003eSome Notes on Military Topography\u003c\/em\u003e (1891).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrancis Barker \u0026amp; Son\u003c\/strong\u003e: 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 \u0026amp; 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 \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn very good condition, full working order, and finds North well. The brass case has a few marks and general signs of use. The original bronzed finish to the exterior has worn away, but is still present on the interior of the lid. The rubber friction ring on the base has been replaced with a new one in the same colour as the original. The compass card and glass are in very good condition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDimensions : 50mm (78mm inc. loop)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Compass Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47966272913559,"sku":null,"price":244.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/6131\/files\/Barker_Verner_MK_III_-_52.jpg?v=1783079591","url":"https:\/\/www.compasslibrary.com\/en-fr\/products\/f-barker-verners-patent-mk-iii-compass-1899","provider":"Compass Library","version":"1.0","type":"link"}