Bronze Binnacle & Gimbaled Compass From A. Lietz Company San Francisco

Description

Standard binnacle in cast bronze from a U.S. navy war vessel, a binnacle house’s and protects the ship’s magnetic compass, … more Standard binnacle in cast bronze from a U.S. navy war vessel, a binnacle house’s and protects the ship’s magnetic compass, compete with brass hood, soft iron quadrantal spheres, and fire flinders bar (rear cylinder), the piece also retains it’s original Crouse-Hinds industrial compass light to clearly view the course you’ve plotted day or night. This rare piece of maritime history likely came off a battleship, or a destroyer, acquired from an estate just west of Colorado Springs, not far from the Broadmoor Hotel. Signed made in San Francisco by A. LIETS Company est. 1882, circa 1930s - 1940s.

Piece dimensions:
Compass - w9.5” x d9.5” x h5”
Binnacle stands 52” top of hood, 17” at the base, 19.5” deep with Flinders bar.
Compass is 13” in diameter w/ gimbal ring, weighs approximately 22lbs, net weight approx 300lbs.

WHAT IS A BINNACLE?

This explanation comes from an old U. S. Navy Manual

The "binnacle" is the stand provided for mounting the magnetic compass. The U.S. Navy generally use a non-magnetic casting about 3 1/2 feet high, consisting of a circular base, a pedestal, a magnet compartment, and a compass chamber. Fitted to the binnacle, if not actually cast en bloc with it, are brackets for the Finders bar holder, and a pair of projecting arms for supporting the quadrantal spheres. The magnets, Finders bar, and spheres are used in compensating the compass.

Information provided courtesy of Vintages of the Sea, Sunset Beach, CA less