United Kingdom. An R.F.C. Pilot's Compass MKII, 259 Pattern, c.1915

Designed by Captain Creagh Osborne and manufactured by the Hughes-Dent company beginning in 1913, this company was employed in RFC and RAF aircraft beginning in 1915. Predominantly used in the sopwith Camel, the compass features a circular bowl, with a flat glass cover, and is in a vertical position. The expansion chamber is on the front of the glass. The lubber line is painted on the inside of the glass. It is thus aft of the card which, in view of this fact is numbered on the outside and anti-clockwise. Therefore, the red end of the magnets is adjacent to the South point of the card, making it necessary for great care to be taken in adjusting. The bowl is suspended in a circular metal ring and held in position with an arrangement of bolts and felt washers which absorb the vibration. The magnet box is placed directly over the center of the card on top of the outer metal ring and has two holes for the reception of correcting magnets. Contained in its original wooden box of issue, with paper notes on interior lid, leather strap on exterior has broken, otherwise original as found. A rare item.