{"product_id":"fine-19th-century-french-military-compass-with-needle-lock-and-rotating-arm-working-1","title":"Fine Antique French Pocket Compass with Needle Lock and Rotating Arm, Working","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI am not in the least an expert on compasses, but I spotted this one in a case and it struck me as quite a fine and very handsome one. And since bringing it home, I have found exactly one match of it out there, that one with a pedigree: from the French Imperial Collection, with the seller, who appears to have a fair bit of knowledge, stating likely\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e owned by Emperor Napoleon III. (The 4973 tag on the compass corresponds to the same numbered tag on a sword owned by Napoléon III.) Anyway, this one has no such tag, but indeed is French, late 19th century I believe. There is a needle lock on the left side, which keeps it the blue and silver needle from moving while in one's pocket, etc.; once released it appears to work perfectly. Engraved dial marked with cardinals and intercardinals, outer edge displaying the range 0°-360°, and a large bearing arrow fixed to the back plate of the compass, which turns smoothly with a bit of pressure. And while I rely on GPS to get me pretty much everywhere, seems to me a fine compass is a very good thing to have, even if only to appreciate aesthetically and conceptually! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2 1\/16\" diameter (not including loop) x 3\/8\" deep. Good condition, seems to work exactly as it should. A little oxidation to to the engraved dial as shown. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"critical EYE Finds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67658996056318,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/5022\/1382\/files\/IMG_7998_651d1550-91e4-420b-ba3f-af4bd6873ee1.png?v=1790818852","url":"https:\/\/www.criticaleyefinds.com\/products\/fine-19th-century-french-military-compass-with-needle-lock-and-rotating-arm-working-1","provider":"critical EYE Finds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}