Penrose Antiques

Description

We have for sale a WW1 British Army officers Mark V11 prismatic marching compass with provenance for the 1st Yorkshire Yeomanry (East Riding of Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry).

This Verners Pattern VII compass measures approximately 2 inches (5cm) in diameter and 3.25 inches from ring tip to hinge and carries to its reverse a hand inscribed inscription - what looks like AHS 1YY. The former component of the inscription no doubt represent the initials of the owner and the 1YY represents the 1st Yorkshire Yeomanry (East Riding of Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry). The 1st Yorkshire Yeomanry were a cavalry brigade and was sent to Cairo in October 1915 were they formed part of the ANZAC division, seeing action in the first and third battle of Gaza where they supported the last Great cavalry charge of the British army at El Mughar.

The Compass is in a very good functional condition, there is a some wear to the black enameling of the case, a small elongated impression to the copper ring of the back and there is one knurled screw in knob missing that would have been used to secure the lid when closed, there is a good chance that this knob was left behind in the desserts of North Africa.