WWI 1917 British Army Officer's Compass, Verner's Patent by French Ltd.

Details

Description

This is an excellent original example of the MK VIII. It is fully functioning, has a brass case and is … Read more This is an excellent original example of the MK VIII. It is fully functioning, has a brass case and is mounted with lanyard ring. The glass face and numbered brass outer ring are perfectly intact. The lid is stamped 'Verner's Pattern. The rear of the case is stamped with war department arrows and by the manufacturer 'F-L' for French & Sons Ltd. of London together with '1917' date.

It is complete with the original brown leather case with hinged top and buckle fastener, wear commensurate with age. The case also stamped for French and Sons Ltd. London and 1917. Both the brass compass cover and the leather case are marked with the British Army Officer's name "Beckett" and RGA for the Royal Garrison Artillery.

A great clean example in excellent condition. 3 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 7/8" thick. The case measuring 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1 1/4".

The Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) was formed in 1899 as a distinct arm of the British Army's Royal Regiment of Artillery serving alongside the other two arms of the Regiment, the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) and the Royal Horse Artillery (RHA). The RGA were the 'technical' branch of the Royal Artillery who were responsible for much of the professionalisation of technical gunnery that was to occur during the First World War. It was originally established to man the guns of the British Empire's forts and fortresses, including coastal artillery batteries, the heavy gun batteries attached to each infantry division and the guns of the siege artillery.[1] The RGA was amalgamated with the RFA in 1924, from which time the only two arms within the Royal Regiment of Artillery have been the Royal Artillery and the Royal Horse Artillery. See less