Original Revolutionary War brass compass (SOLD)

This is a rare item being offered, it is an original Revolutionary War compass. It is made of brass and the top and base screw together. It has a diameter of 1 7/8” x ½” high. As with most of these very old compasses, the small fragile needles are long gone. That is because they had no glass top protecting it.

In order to win the war, the Patriots and British had to outsmart and outfight the other side. The British were formally trained and usually had better equipment then the American soldiers.

The Continentals' military strategy depended upon good intelligence on the movement of the British troops and adroit maneuvering into battle positions. To evade their enemy, the American troops avoided main roads when they could.

A compass allowed them to find their way through unfamiliar territory and complicated waterways. The magnetized needle of the compass always pointed north, so men could use it to gauge their direction. They could determine their position and direction of travel in fog, night, or low visibility due to heavy rain. At any time, they knew where they were and could communicate that to anyone who needed to know.

There is an example of this compass in "Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (see pictures). It is in very nice condition and comes in the glass top display case pictured.