Dry card compass and binnacle

Bowl-Copper with brass rim. four cude lubber lines. glass bottom. Brass verge ring and top glass.
Card-Mica painted white with black markings, graduated to 1/2 points and decorated North and East points. hole at centre to accommodate gimballed pivot. Two wax balancing blobs on underside. Dia. 4.5" (11.5cm)
Needle-Flat bar expanded centre. Pivot gimbal attached. Length 4.5" (11.5cm)
Pivot-Pivot of inverted type in gimbals at centre of card which bears on jewelled cap in bell-shaped brass weight which in turn rests on steel spike in brass mount attached to bottom glass.
binnacle-Brass, aperture for accommodating lamp (missing). Glazed top and fitted with hood. Fitted with two rings, one either side, for lashing to boat thwart.

Object Details

ID: ACO0043
Type: Dry card compass and binnacle
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Preston, Grant
Date made: circa 1840
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Admiralty Compass Observatory
Measurements: Overall: 380 mm x 250 mm x 260 mm
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