A rare hunter cased, nickel-plated brass, F. Barker & Son pocket compass, dating from c.1890-1905. Although there is no maker’s mark, this particular design was only ever made by Barker, and first appeared around 1865. It features a nickel-plated brass hunter case, and a very unusual transparent mica compass card - known as the Barker ‘Mica Dial'. The mica is totally transparent and very thin, with a hand-painted compass rose, red triangular North marker and circular red South marker. The compass is signed by the retailer, Hennig & Co, 26 Coventry Street, London, in very small type around the edge of the compass insert. Barker often made compasses that were supplied unsigned to the retail trade, with the retailer adding their own details. Hennig & Co. who traded in London between c.1890 and 1905 were not scientific instrument makers - in trade directories of the time they were listed as cutlers, razor makers and ice skate makers. Francis Barker & Son are known to have supplied almost indentical compasses to another London cutler and ice axe maker - Hill & Son, 4 Haymarket - at around the same time.
Hennig & Co: traded at 26 Coventry Street, London at the end of the 19th century. The business was founded in London c.1890 and traded until c.1905. They were listed in trade directories of the 1890's as ‘Cutlers, Razor and Skate Makers’. They also made high quality ice axes. An example of one of their ice axes can be seen in the Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection.
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 other smaller businesses. 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 name is now owned by Pyser-Optics. They continue to produce the renowned Barker M-73, widely acknowledged to be the world's finest prismatic compass.
Condition:
The compass is in good condition, full working order, and finds North well. The brass case has a few minor marks, and much of the original nickel plated finish has been polished or worn away, revealing the brass underneath. The mica compass card is in very good condition and the transit lock is working well. The case opens and closes well, with a push-button at the loop. The compass is signed ‘Hennig & Co., 26 Coventry Street’ in very small type around the edge of the compass insert.
Dimensions : 45mm (65mm including loop)
