Beautiful Pre-civil War William Watkins Mahogany Box Compass Exc Condition

A very rare William Watkins of Bristol Pre-Civil War or Earlier Mahogany Cased Pocket Compass, dating from around 1815, and signed'Watkins, Fecit'. Which translates as'Made By'. He was in business at several Bristol addresses during his career, including St. Michael's Hill, 18 Clare Street (1812), 21 Clare Street (1813), and at The Lord Nelson, 16 St.

He was also a member of the Bristol Society of Merchant Venturers. Functioning is tight and it still works well. Hinges are perfect and secured with screws instead of pins, as the better quality ones usually were. There are 2 small bubbles in the original glass cover.

Personally, I love age flaws like this. They just substantiate the age and authenticity. The paper face is perfect and the pin needle lock works as it should, when the lid is closed. B" are lightly, but very nicely etched on the underside. Most likely the owner, but I have no idea who that was. This is the type of compass that would have been carried by a Civil War officer. It would be difficult to find a nicer example of a compass from this age.

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