The MK VI is less common and unusual to find in relatively good condition, particularly with its centre paper label completely intact, although the anti slip ring appears to be a later replacement. It is accompanied by a leather case which is in good condition with all stitching intact and has the letters "E.V.B" impressed on one side, and on the other side is written "J R Richardson R.M" in faint pen, which would have been a previous owner, possibly in the Royal Marines.

The double broad arrow also shows it was later officially decommissioned for sale into the civilian market. Dating to the early 20th century, this non prismatic compass is very similar in dial design to the early Verners pattern examples and reads 'NIGHT MARCHING COMPASS H.W.W. 1907' and belonged to Australian Surveyor Herbert Wrake Walker.Waters would go on to release notable publications including 'The War in South Africa', ' Secret and confidential : the experiences of a military attaché', and 'Russia Then & Now'. Although one of the small screws on the underside that retains the dial to the case is missing, it is still held securely by the remaining three and does not affect the compass function. Renamed Ross-Ensign Ltd; it produced classic 50s roll film cameras, like the Selfix andAutorange, which are still popular today with many collectors. The Elementary Education Act of 1870 created elected school boards to build & run schools, and this compass was made for the London School Board by the maker W.W. Hooper, the attractive paper dial reads 'SCHOOL BOARD FOR LONDON. W.W. HOOPER, BOW, E.' The British Army used this type of compass from the last quarter of the 19th century, and this particular example comes with its leather case bearing the name of a later owner and the letters 9th K.S.L.I, referring to the 9th battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry.

Unusually, it comes in a leather pouch with an impressed crest showing two crossed keys and the word 'ROMA' which apparently is the coat of arms of Vatican City, and the insignia of the papacy. I suspect this may have been a gift at some point to represent a 'moral compass' perhaps for someone of the Roman Catholic faith. In good condition including its leather case, the only blemish being some scuffing around the edges of the green card dial. The lid is attached by small hand made square hinges, fastened with a 7 shaped brass clasp and the paper compass rose is divided into four 90 degree quadrants, showing all the points of the compass with a fleur de lys for North. He was also a personal friend and admirer of the final German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II, having become acquainted in the early 1900s after he wrote favourabley of Wilhelm in his memoirs. (A Collection of books inscribed to Brigadier Wallscourt Hely-Hutchinson Waters, by Kaiser Wilhelm II were sold at auction in 2018) see photo of one example. This M88 is a dual use model, calibrated in both mils & degrees, and the padded pouch has a clip for belt attachment.Founded in the late 18th century by their father John Jones and later taken over by brothers William and Samuel, W & S Jones was a prolific optical, mathmatical and navigational instrument manufacturer between 1791-1860 and operated out of 30 Holborn London until Samuels death in 1859. Constructed from bronzed brass, its engraved 'Angle of Sight Instrument, H.A. MK I, J. H. Steward Ltd, 1916, No 419'. This is a very early WW1 'Angle of Sight' instrument with a low serial number, and made by J H Steward in 1916.

Made toward the latter part of the 19th century, this brass cased green card dial prismatic compass with folding sight vane is inscribed "Chas Owen Optician 46 & 48 City Rd EC" and "W. H. H. Waters" on the reverse. Dating to the latter part of the 19th century, this large mahogany cased compass measuring 8.5" square was originally made for educational purposes but today makes an impressive desk ornament.

Set in a mahogany case, with an attractive paper sunburst dial, divided into 90 degree quadrants and displaying 32 cardinal and inter-cardinal points, it's in very good condition with a glass crystal retained by a brass bezel, and a shapely blued steel needle engraved 'N' & 'S' in gold letters. the production of cameras ended but the company continued for some time to sell Ross optical devices such as binoculars or enlarging lenses. A similar model appears in a 1919 Francis Barker catalogue, where its referred to as a ‘combined altitude instrument and prismatic compass’) A precision item made to the highest quailty standard, it's in very good condition and comes with its original leather case which is also in excellent condition. It goes without saying that this is a genuine Stanley instrument, and not one of the many reproductions which regrettably are still catching out many unsuspecting buyers. In good condition, the body is engraved 'PATENT NO 1926. MADE BY F. BARKER & SON LONDON FOR CASTANON MONGEY. CIA MADRID. 4751'.

Zeiss built a factory in London, mainly to produce binoculars; some camera lenses also were produced. The attractive paper dial is in exceptional condition with no staining as is often found in other compasses of the period, and is set under a jewelled steel needle measuring 6.5" in length, the glass crystal is also original and in excellent condition. c1840 Ross started making lenses for cameras. The lenses were engraved A. Ross, London. Ross had an early association with Carl Zeiss in Jena; Zeiss licensed some Ross patent designs particularly for EWA lenses and in turn Ross had a licence for the British Empire to make some Carl Zeiss lens types. Although not dated, manufacture of the MK V compass design was discontinued in 1916, so we know that this compass predates 1917.The elegant blued steel needle is also engraved with 'N' & 'S' gold letters for clarity, and sits under a glass crystal which is free of any damage.