Just got my MkIII Compass back from Trademark London

[Claven2]

One thing I was hoping someone would show in this thread is an elusive Australian-made MkIII. Australia, like Canada, was licensed during WW2 (I think only during ww2?) to produce the MkIII. They were made by J.W.H. PTY LTD. and from what I gather are slightly rarer than the already rare Canadian Kodak. Canada and Kodak also had brit-made compasses in their supply chains so even in their origin countries, they are not common.

I've never seen on personally, but the odd pic is around on the net.

[Son]

One thing I was hoping someone would show in this thread is an elusive Australian-made MkIII. Australia, like Canada, was licensed during WW2 (I think only during ww2?) to produce the MkIII. They were made by J.W.H. PTY LTD. and from what I gather are slightly rarer than the already rare Canadian Kodak. Canada and Kodak also had brit-made compasses in their supply chains so even in their origin countries, they are not common.

I've never seen on personally, but the odd pic is around on the net.

I'm sure one of Lithy's is a JWH.

[Peter Laidler]

I think the UK MoD own or did own the patent rights to the prismatic compasses. Long expired now I expect. And for the purposes of the strip-down we'll be using the later Stanley compasses as they're most like what we've come to expect

As a matter of interest, the bloke who designed/invented/came up with the idea of the triangular prism was the former military attache in Budapest who saw the ZB 27 being used/tested in Hungary and got two examples sent to the UK as late entrants into the trials to replace the old Lewis LMG. The rest, as they say, is history....... He was a Royal Engineers Major who eventually ended up as a Brigadier. I forget his name but his most famous contribution to the Commonwealth was the Bren of course. When I transfer all of my blurb onto this new computer, I'll dig up his name

[Claven2]

Too bad there doesn't appear to be any original WW2 compasses left available to you Peter. Not that a G150 isn't appropriate as it is almost an exact copy apart from markings and some minor differences internally like the light holders under the card (and the card being in mils), but it would be kind of romantic to imagine compasses still being issued with wartime manufacture dates. I guess those left in service after the 1950's probably got worn out to BER status over time.

By the way, are the Stanleys you have access to sporting the solid cards, or are some still mother of pearl?

[Peter Laidler]

Just remembered it. It was Major Oxley, Royal Engineers. There are two types of card. A plain see-through type and a 'sort of' see-through type that allows the tritium bulb to show through the prism although I dare say that there will be mother of pearl but I can't say that I have noticed any. That's a lie......., just looked at a few and lo and behold, there's a couple of mother of pearl ones there! There are a couple of very old Mk3's still sloshing around but it's easier to use a few Stanleys for our purposes. There is a trit light source under the card Clav! For whoever asked, the foot was stuck on with adhesive until 15 years ago or so but is now a pre-stuck chequer ribbed neoprene ring that is self adhesive and far better. Most of these bits are common spares

[Claven2]

Looking forward to the tear-down Peter - if you can, try to get at least one with a MoP dial - they are really quite beautiful

[Rowdy]

Cannot help with a Mk.III - only have a Mk.IX (el-cheapo fluidless version?)

[Claven2]

The would look to be a MkIX marching compass. Also a nice find, if not as accurate as a MkIII.

[Peter Laidler]

Back to Clavs note a couple back stating '.........but it would be kind of romantic to imagine compasses still being issued with wartime manufacture dates.' The nostalgic theme still holds good in the Instrument world Clav with the old and now pretty well obsolete Binoculars, Prismatic, No2 Mk3 with 1944-45-46 dates still in service. We've still got them here and I saw a pair hanging around a paratrooper SF Machine gunners neck in Af-stan some months ago. Long did they reign..................

[Terrylee]

I'd certainly appreciate some tips on how to overhaul compasses. I've been collecting British military compasses for quite some time and have several that need attention.

It would seem that the basic design has been around for quite a while. The compass on the left is dated 1915. Nos. 2 and 3 are South African military issue and that on the extreme right is an Israeli copy made in plastic.