Surveyors' compass

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This surveyors' compass was made around 1810, probably by John Miller and Alexander Adie, scientific instrument makers based in Edinburgh.

The compass shows the four cardinal points. The outer scale is marked from 0 to 360 degrees at 10, 5 and 1 degree intervals, while the inner scale has four bands of 0 to 90 degrees marked at 10 degree intervals. The needle is made of blued steel.

The vanes are detachable and fit into the lid, for easy portability when in the field.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-813-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1983.173
• Date: Around 1810
  c. 1810
  
• Material: Compass, surveyor's
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Compass, surveyor's
  
• Subject:
• Who: Miller and Adie, Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Surveyor's compass by Miller and Adie of Edinburgh, c. 1810
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. pp 30-4 
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