This is a beautiful Hampton Nautical solid brass round sundial compass. The top of the sundial is hinged and a curved scale is used to set your local latitude angle. The magnetic compass allows the sundial to be oriented North. The compass features a needle lift mechanism to protect the compass' jeweled bearing when being transported. There are three adjustable legs that are used to precisely level the sundial. The sun's shadow cast by the sundial's vane marks the local time.
The top of the sundial can lay down flat, and both the latitude scale and the sundial vane are hinged to lay flat for compact storage. The sundial compass is available in a polished finish. A beautiful hardwood case is included for display and storage of the brass sundial. The box has The Hampton Nautical anchor and rope logo embedded in the top of the box.
Custom Engraving is available on this item with a minimum quantity purchased. Contact us for details.
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Key Features:
Polished brass housing for compass
Needle lift operates to protect bearing
Adjustable legs for precise sundial alignment
Solid rosewood box lined with felt to store compass
Brass anchor emblem inset in face of rosewood box
Custom engraving/photo etching available: Logos, pictures or slogans can be easily put on any item. Typical minimum custom order is 100+ pieces. Minimum lead-time to produce and engrave is 4+ weeks.
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WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Formaldehyde, and Styrene, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, and Chromium and Toluene, which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
The sundial in its basic form is a simple tool, basically unchanged from its inception thousands of years ago, and considered the first scientific instrument. Initially just a stake in the ground, called a gnomon from the Greek word “to know,” early models were used by ancient Egyptians and Babylonians to mark the sun’s movement. Later, with the round sundial, time was marked by the direction of the sun’s shadow not simply by the shadow’s length. Similar to the sundial, antique compasses were a basic device that utilized the Earth’s magnetic field. Discovered by the early Chinese, a needle when rubbed against lodestone became magnetized, and when hung from a small thread would always point due North or South. This antique compass for sale combines these two early instruments into one elegant device. With further advancements in astronomy and mathematics the ancient Greeks came to understand that the sun’s movement appeared different in differing latitudes, and they learned to calibrate the sundial to provide more accurate times. As the Earth revolves around the sun in an elliptical pattern, and the Earth’s equator is not actually in line with the orbital plane, these minor variations were recognized as important factors in determining time. During the European Dark Ages, the use of the sundial was further studied in the Arabic world, with the introduction of trigonometry adding to the accuracy of measurements, and the use of twelve equal length segments. With all of this information new sundials were created that became much more accurate. To measure time a sundial needs to be vertically leveled using a plumb or bubble-level, adjusted to point to true North, and corrected for its latitude and longitude. While mathematics and astronomy can determine the latitude and longitude, the solid brass compass is able to do the same. As sailors throughout the Age of Discovery found, they could use their compasses to determine their location, and with that information then use a sundial to find the correct time of day. Though this antique compass for sale is more advanced, it still retains the basic principles of both instruments. For the sundial, the gnomon casts a shadow over a face marked with equal measurements, while the compass uses magnetism and a small needle to show the way. With both the compass and the sundial, this antique compass for sale can help you find your way and measure the time it takes you to get there.