A full service instrument shop specializing in sales and service of marine compasses. Suppliers of genuine replacement parts for Danforth, Aquameter, Ritchie, Kelvin White, Dirigo and Star compasses

A fine example of a very early liquid filled compass from the inventer of the liquid filled compass, E.S Ritchie. The extremely low serial number 1231 is recorded in the serial number logs at the E.S Ritchie factory indicates that this compass was manufactured in the 1870's. This compass is of the earliest designs with a hand-painted float dial. This very detailed compass rose is painted with the patented egg paint that was used exclusively for compasses that were filled with an alcohol/water mixture that E.S Ritchie patented. The compass is mounted in the original mahogany box. All of the seals were replaced at Viking instruments and the compass was refilled with the proper alcohol/water mixture. The compass will be accompanied with a letter of authenticity. SOLD 1231 1231 Serial Number RecordThis picture is of the serial number log at E.S. Ritchie & Sons factory, it clearly indicates the serial number of this compass #1231. There is no entry beside the serial number which may mean that the compass was one of a group of compasses made for the previous entry. 1231ser