A Hunter cased, nickel-plated brass, Short & Mason pocket compass, dating from c.1900-1920. The compass features an aluminium compass card with the characteristic Short & Mason Fleur-de-Lys design, a jewelled pivot, and a bevelled glass. The card is marked with the makers details, ‘Short & Mason Ltd, London’. The lid opens by means of a push button at the bow.
An almost identical compass, made by Short & Mason c.1915, can be seen in Kornelia Takacs book Compass Chronicles (Schiffer, 2010), p.63.
Short & Mason: were founded in 1864 by Thomas Watling Short and William James Mason in London. They were makers of precision measuring instruments including barometers, anemometers and compasses. They became leaders in the design of barographs. The business was located at 40 Hatton Garden, London. The Partnership was dissolved c.1901, and the company was acquired by the Taylor Instrument Company. In 1904 the company patented a barograph, called a Cyclo-stormograph. In 1910 the company moved from Hatton Garden to Macdonald Road in Walthamstow. Around the time of the First World War Short & Mason supplied military compasses, including 'The Magnapole', and they were known as a retailer of scientific instruments. In 1921 They pioneered the theory that a storm forecast could be made from just observing the air pressure and whether it was rising or falling. Short & Mason obtained a copyright for this forecast in 1921.
Condition:
In good condition and good working order, the compass finds North very well. The nickel plating of the brass case has some minor wear, and there is a slight ding to the lid. The glass and compass card are in very good condition, with a few specks of dust under the glass. The case hinge is strong, the push button opens the lid as it should, and the lid closes with a good firm snap.
Dimensions : 50mm diameter (70mm inc. loop)
