WW2 British Military Trough Compass Dated 1940 by J. M. Glauser & Sons Ltd with Mahogany Case

Here on offer is a WW2 British Military Trough Compass dated 1940 by J. M. Glauser & Sons Ltd and complete with its original a light mahogany case.

This black lacquered brass trough compass dated 1940 was made by J. M. Glauser & Sons Ltd for use by the British Military during WW2 and is engraved:

J. M. GLAUSER & SONS Ltd
1940
II
with a military crowfoot arrow on the side.

Not used as a traditional compass and known also as a plane table compass, it was used by surveyors to establish the direction of magnetic North when aligning a plane table or theodolite.

The needle of the compass consists of a long narrow magnetised bar of steel, pointed at both ends, with the usual gemstone bearing at its centre for reduced friction.

It is housed in a mahogany case with a sliding lid, with a brass strip underneath, that activates a transit lock for when the instrument is not in use.

The brass compass is in excellent condition retaining most of its original black lacquered finish. The glass its still clear, albeit slightly dusty on the inside. There is just a tiny crack probably from when it was made and the hole was drilled through it for the transit lock pin.

The light mahogany case is also in great condition with just some light usage scuffs to the finish.

This is a fine example of a WW2 trough compass, by an uncommon maker.


Some history relating to J. M. Glauser & Sons Ltd.

J. M. Glauser & Sons Ltd. was a British manufacturer. They were contractors to the War Office, Air Ministry, Government of India, amongst others.

The company was established in 1929 by Jean Maurice Glauser, a Naturalized British subject of Swiss origin.

In 1938/39, due to the expansion in business, the company bought the old St. James's Laundry in Bensham Manor Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey, and set up a new works (Bridge Buildings). A couple of years later, the company also took over the lease of shops at 349-351 Whitehorse Road, Croydon, where they set up their Head Office.

J.M. Glauser & Sons' scope of production also included equipment such as Braillewriters for the Royal National Institute for the Blind.

The company was wound up in 1956 when the founder retired.

The compass measures 6” (15.3cm) long, 1” (2.5cm) wide and 0.7” (1.8cm) high.

It weighs 250g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 52009