This is a REALLY cool compass. I love the look of the compass face. Heisely was one of the first, if not the first, to put the vernier inside the compass face. There are only a few known Heisely compasses that have the vernier inside-the-face, so this is a pretty rare instrument. Plus, this compass has a neat slider system for lifting the compass needle - you raise the needle by using your index finger to slide a metal tab out. Works great.

The Smart book has a fairly good discussion on the Heisely family. Rather than paraphrase the Smart discussion, click here to see Smart's write-up.

Bedini suggests that Heisely's vernier system pre-dates Young's patent on essentially the same system by a good 20 to 30 years.

I don't have the compass box or Jacob's staff adapter for this compass, unfortunately. The compass comes with a cover, but nothing else. What you see in the pics is what I have.

Having said that, I think this is a VERY display worthy 200 year old compass with an eye-grabbing before its time vernier system.

Price: SOLD
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