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A Fine Brass Pocket Compass by Barker and Sons of London
Sold by Robert Belcher Antiques
sold SA1129653
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 407 items
  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
Id #SA1129653
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A Fine Brass Pocket Compass by Barker and Sons of London

19th century
Sold 6 May 2025 · Robert Belcher Antiques
This “Fine Brass Pocket Compass by Barker and Sons of London” found a buyer.

It was listed by Robert Belcher Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

This superb compass has an enclosed case, which is made from heavy gauged brass. It is hinged on one side for opening and has a carrying ring opposite. And between there is a sliding knob which operates a leaver mechanism for locking the magnetic hand when not in use.

The hand is made from polished steel with a painted red tip. It is centrally mounted on a jewelled axis.

The dial is silvered with black letters and scale to indicate pole direction and degrees.

The dial is signed Barker and Sons Ltd London.

Frances Barker and Sons produced quality instruments in the late 19th century and early 20th century and were based in London.

English circa 1890

Height 1.5cm x width 5.8cm x depth 4.7cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
1.5cm (0.59")
Width
5.8cm (2.28")
Depth
4.7cm (1.85")
Declaration

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Brass Pocket Compass to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1129653
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
This superb compass has an enclosed case, which is made from heavy gauged brass. It is hinged on one side for opening and has a carrying ring opposite.
“
And between there is a sliding knob which operates a leaver mechanism for locking the magnetic hand when not in use.
Robert Belcher Antiques
fig 1. An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial.
fig 1. A Fine Brass Pocket Compass by Barker and Sons of London

The hand is made from polished steel with a painted red tip. It is centrally mounted on a jewelled axis.

The dial is silvered with black letters and scale to indicate pole direction and degrees.

The dial is signed Barker and Sons Ltd London.

Frances Barker and Sons produced quality instruments in the late 19th century and early 20th century and were based in London.

English circa 1890

Height 1.5cm x width 5.8cm x depth 4.7cm

Height
1.5cm (0.59")
Width
5.8cm (2.28")
Depth
4.7cm (1.85")
Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Brass Pocket Compass to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1129653
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Robert Belcher Antiques Profile Page

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An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 8
Archive I An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

A Fine Brass Pocket Compass by Barker and Sons of London

Archive II An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial. View II
Archive III An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial. View III
Archive IV An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial. View IV
Archive V An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial. View V
Archive VI An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial. View VI
Archive VII An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial. View VII
Archive VIII An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 407
Items Sold 679
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
407
Sold
679
An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial.
A fine brass pocket compass by Barker and Sons of London
Ref: SA1129653
An open circular brass pocket compass with a glass face and marked directional dial.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectScientific Instruments
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian & Edwardian
  • MaterialBrass, Glass
  • ColourPolished Brass
  • MotifsHinged brass lid, Graduated directional dial, Suspension loop, Maker hallmark
  • SizeH 1.5 cm (1 in) x W 5.8 cm (2 in) x D 4.7 cm (2 in)

Pocket compasses became essential portable navigational instruments during the 18th and 19th centuries, utilised by military personnel, surveyors, and travellers for directional orientation before the advent of modern electronics.

Traditional pocket compasses were primarily constructed using cast or turned brass housings, glass face covers, paper or enamel directional dials, and steel magnetic needles.

Authentic pieces typically feature hand-engraved or stamped maker signatures, aged patination on the brass surfaces, glass crystals rather than plastic, and wear patterns consistent with genuine historical use.

An antique compass functions well as a curated tabletop object, displayed on a desk, within a bookshelf vignette, or alongside other historical curiosities to add textural metallic detail.

Preserve the historical value by avoiding harsh metal polishes; instead, gently dust the brass with a soft, dry microfibre cloth and store the instrument in a stable, low-humidity environment.
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