Classic Compass

[tackleberry]

Hi,
Does anyone have a suggestion for a classic prismatic compass? I'm not looking for a military one necessarily, and nothing modern, more the type of instrument a keen gentleman explorer would use.
Thanks

 

[Woodtroll]

The Silva Ranger, also known as the Type 15, was the classic forestry compass for years. Introduced about 1950, I think, so I don't know id it's period-correct for you. The older ones had aluminum azimuth rings; the newer ones have black plastic rings. These can be fantastically accurate and repeatable if used correctly, are adjustable for magnetic declination, and some of the later ones also have built-in clinometers.

Not sure about "gentlemen explorers", but several generations of foresters have used these when they needed anything more than a casual pocket compass. I still have my original one I started my career with, and several more I picked up along the way, mostly because I really like them and appreciate their ruggedness and quality.

 

[tackleberry]

I actually do have a Silva Ranger that I bought more years ago than I care to remember. It is a very good instrument but what I am really looking for is something akin to a Francis Barber M73 but perhaps a little more cost effective. I'm searching for the classic look.

 

[Cuvier]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/102365...2pVxVbkD4pQotW4ZbnpLYFm-ojSfSgwBoCY5sQAvD_BwE


You can try these. They're about the least expensive I found in a short search on Google.

I have a Cammenga Tritium I use for my main compass and have a couple of smaller ones for various other tasks. One of my favorites is a Recta DP2 compass. Don't know why but I just like it.