A type VII Verners Pattern military compass. This British military compass is called Verner’s pattern after its designer’s name, Colonel William Willoughby Cole Verner.

The compass mechanism is housed in a brass case, has a Mother of Pearl dial (to enhance reading in low level light) with a gemstone pivot bearing. To protect the dial when not in use it has a transit lock that should be activated during lid closure. In use it can be sited on to a point in the distance and the bearing from North read off the compass dial through a prismatic lens.

The underside of the brass case is engraved with the year of manufacture, 1915 and the broad arrow; the British ordnance mark as well as the maker’s mark and “Made in Switzerland’. The compass comes in its leather carry case that is also embossed with it’s year of manufacture, maker’s name and broad arrow mark.

Dimensions of compass: length 7.25 cm/2 inches x diameter 5.5 cm/2 inches x 2 cm/ inch.