This wonderful Roach & Warner Vernier Compass is in Excellent to Near Mint Condition. It has seen very little field use. Perhaps none at all. The compass is simply stunning.

John Roach was a famous San Francisco based Instrument Maker. Roach lived and worked in NY before moving to SF. Roach and Henry Warner formed Roach & Warner in 1833 to make optical instruments. Roach & Warner only lasted until 1843, however, so coming up with a ballpark age for this compass is doable. Call it circa 1840.

It's amazing that a surveyor's compass can go 180 years without ever being used. But that seems to be the case here.

Interestingly, when Roach & Warner first made the instrument, they apparently drilled the level holes in the wrong spot. Note the pic of the underside of the compass, and you will see extra holes in the mainplate.

The compass is good sized - measuring 15 inches long with a 6 inch needle. 20th Century ownership information is included on the box lid.

The only real blemish (other than just box wear) on this compass - a very small green point of corrosion inside the compass box between N and NE at 25 degrees or so. It's just a very small spot, but something that the buyer should address at some point.

This is a rare opportunity to own an early American Surveying compass that is very close to being NIB (New In Box).

Please see my John Roach Makers Webpage for more info about Roach & Warner.