South West Maritime History Society - Registered Charity No.289141

A-Z index
Subject index
Contact us
Members login
9 September 2010 Home >Forum >Vintage? John Hand Compass

Vintage? John Hand Compass

From John Boden 2/12/2006

I have a John Hand compass recovered from an unknown wreck in the Bahamas.
It has been in saltwater, the bowl is dry, but all is in good and operable
condition otherwise. It is about 8' in diameter, about 6' deep in a heavy
brass or bronze bowl with adjusting screws. It weighs about 15 lbs. The
only marking is, John Hand, at the North point on the card. I do not
think it has great value but would be interested in learning more about
it. Would you be kind enough to point to where I could find more
information?

Add your comments

Please note: this is not an email facility, all comments are placed on this page and on our Forum

Under no circumstances can we accept advertising from non-members.

Message type (select one)

Respond to this whole topic.

Respond to part of it using this sub-title

Start an entirely new topic using this title

Your name

Message contents

 
Comment on this

Previous comments

dennis of maine
17/2/2010

i have a john hand compass in great shape with brass plate on screws on side serial no.16504 model no.lmc-101-d came from an attic in castine maine any info would be great how old and value

Walter E. Boland
7/5/2009

I worked for John E. Hand & Sons in Haddonfield, N.J. from 1942 to 1950.
The compass you describe is a Navy
Standard Compass. The fluid in it was a mixture water and alcohal

John Boden
4/12/2006

Additional info. It weighs 10 lbs. the bolt hole circle is 9" and the height is 4" Photos aviable

Neptune of SWMHS
2/12/2006

Independence Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia PA hold the records of John E. Hand & Sons Co., a major supplier to the U.S. Navy during World War II and a local manufacturer of nautical instruments dating back to 1873. There are several John Hand compasses on E Bay from $40 to $150