Ships Compass?

[Sealander]

Hello everybody,
another find is a bit of a mystery. From the water, a possible crash site of a RAF bomber (early WWII) emerged a compass in relative good shape.After many tears in sea water.

The inscription on the bottom: "" GEORGE FIELD & CO
50 or SO. HOLLOWAY HEAD BIRMINGHAM"

The size of the compass overall is 14 cm and 7,5 cm thick.which makes it very small for a ships compass. Besides the location in the river where it was found is not one where ships ran aground or get wrecked.
The condition of the compass is such that it has not been thrown away.
The maker George Field is not a renowned compass maker ( attemps to link the company to compass production failed, also at Birminham Library)
Qustion: who knows about this type of compass being used in RAF aircraft? German bombers had this type of magnetic compass in the tail with a repeater(s) in the cockpit, as far as possible from the magnetic disturbances by metal (engines etc)
Any comments?
Thanks
Sealander

[MarkRS]

Reference here:
http://www.averyweigh-tronix.com/titanic_exhibition/

to: "brass fittings from Titanic’s sister ship ‘Olympic’, produced by George Field & Company of Birmingham" may give you a direction to look in.

Also "50 Holloway Head" is a legitimate address.

Mark

[Sealander]

Mark,
thank you for your remark. I knew about their activity in brass fittings. Ships (or aircraft) is a different business. My speculation is that they may have ventured into the production of brass compass casings when demand increased, especially for aviation instruments. But that is only speculation.
Who can shed his light?
Sealander

[MarkRS]

A search of auction house archives shows that George Field and Co was manufacturing ship's binnacles in the 19th century. These would have carried a relatively small compass.

http://www.artfact.com/catalog/searc...ALSE&cs=0&ns=1

The 1891 Warwickshire census has a George Field, 18, employed as a Birmingham brass founder.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb....rg_12_2431.htm

Mark

[MarkRS]

Here is a census reference to another George Field, 26, Copper and Brass founder:
http://www.hunimex.net/warwick/freecens/2389.html
And here is confirmation that the address is actually 56 Holloway Head:
http://www.maggs.com/departments/nav...gories/MI7610/

Mark

[Sealander]

Mark,
thanks, this adress must be correct : 56 Holloway Head.
And indeed proof that they actually made compasses.
Now the link to aviation (or no link?)
Thanks
Sealander

[MarkRS]

Sealander,
I have not found a link between George Field and aircraft compasses (yet). This looks like a binnacle compass and not an airborne one, but you never know.

Here is a site that defines the standard Air Ministry compasses used in WW2, and they look completely different:
http://www.compassmuseum.com/aero/aero.htm

Mark

[Sealander]

Mark,
thank you for the link to this "compass" site
regards
Sealander

[MarkRS]

Sealander,

Whether fitted in an aircraft or not, this compass looks like it was based of the first RN wet compass manufactured by Dent & Co around 1890/1900 (pattern 24). The dial is very similar right down to the fleur-de-lis North.

http://www.compassmuseum.com/nautica...cal.htm#GIMBAL
http://www.compassmuseum.com/images/...24_dial_gr.jpg


Mark

[Sealander]

Mark,
you must have a very sharp eye for compasses. You are right, it looks very much like the "24 R.Navy"version. I include another shot at the NORTH arrow which proves your point.
Do you know what they had inside? I have some faint idea that it was glycol?
The diameter of the glass by the way is only 10.5 cm.


regards
Sealander