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Gruchon & Emons Paris 1918 magnetic compass for U.S Engineer Corps

$1,048.51
£777.71
€880
CA$1,435.75
A$1,596.28
CHF 835.56
MX$19,577.91
NOK 10,638.78
SEK 10,044.27
DKK 6,698.19
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About the Item

Rare nautical survey magnetic compass, brass pocket, signed Gruchon & Emons Paris No. 81 1918, made for U.S Engineer Corps and in use by officers during World War I. This is a small compass, diameter cm 5.5- inch 2.4 height cm 1.8, inch 0.6; typically used in recreational sailing, thus on boats less prone to magnetic deviation. It can also be held in the hand and thus away from magnetic fields. It’s equipped with an aiming system with target and an eight-wind goniometric rose so that the angle between the line of sight and the north indicated by the magnetic needle can be measured. Complete with needle lock. Bon état. The last photo is the gift box. Curiosity The Greeks and the Romans were still unaware of the possibility of harnessing magnetic fields for orientation, while it seems that this possibility was already somewhat known to the Chinese: around 2600 B.C. Emperor Hoang-Ti was able to overcome Prince Tchi-Yeou in battle thanks to a "magic" chariot, the See-Nan (chariot pointing south). The emperor, thanks to this device, identified the enemy's escape route, despite the fact that the enemy had concealed it through a blanket of smoke: attached to the chariot was a human-shaped wooden silhouette that rotated on itself and, with its arm outstretched, always pointed south (pointing south of course was also pointing north at the same time, but south was considered by the Chinese to be the most important cardinal point
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 0.6 in (1.53 cm)Diameter: 2.4 in (6.1 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
    1910-1919
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1918
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Milan, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1020244814022

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