Verner’s Pattern VII dry card prismatic compass and carry case.

 

Photo showing the leather case and lid of the compass. Accession Number: 2021-01. The leather is stamped with the maker's mark, date and Broad Arrow symbol. The compass is stamped with Verner’s Pattern VII- the style and model number. 

This compass was made in Switzerland in 1915. The case, manufactured from animal leather, was made in 1916. The compass has a hinged lid, with a glass window and hairline sight. The compass body was manufactured from a copper alloy, likely brass, which was cast into molds. The dial was formed from mother of pearl. A rubber friction ring would have been glued to the base of the compass body with an unknown adhesive. A layer of lacquer or black oxide was used to colour the lid of the compass black.

Image showing the base of the Verner's Prismatic Marching compass VII. Accession Number: 2021-01. The production date, ‘Made In Switzerland’, ‘№ 27943’, ‘B-L’, and broad-arrow were stamped into the copper-alloy. 

The carry case is made from animal leather, most likely cow skin. The case is hand sewn with a light brown twisted threat. Both the case and compass are stamped with their manufacturing information and the ‘broad arrow symbol of the British War Office.