US Navy Ritchie Lionel Brass Ship's Binnacle Compass

This is an authentic World War II nautical antique, a brass and oak ship's binnacle compass is signed on the brass base "US Navy, Ritchie & Sons, Brookline, Mass," and on the compass itself, "Lionel, 1942, NY."

It appears complete and working, the gimbal suspension compass points north, but we are not experts. This navigational compass is called a helmet style, from the helmet-shaped swivel cover, and would have been mounted to the floor next to the ships wheel.

The rosy cast brass base is beautiful, and there is a sliding door revealing interior components. Adjustable compensating balls are on brass arms at each side of the compass. The brass tube is often called a navigation chart holder, but we are told it is actually for a magnetic "Flinders" bar for greater accuracy.

There is a brass light switch, but the wiring is missing. Measurements are 35" wide, 18" deep and 52" tall.

D-B2124

Item # D-B2124