Surveyors' compass

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This surveyors' compass was made around 1815, probably by J. & J. Gardner, scientific instrument makers based in Glasgow. It is made of brass.

The theodolite has four sight vanes, two of which are fixed along the North-South axis of the compass, which rotates around the needle. The other two vanes are mounted on a scale marked '0-360' degrees. The instrument is signed 'J. & J. Gardner, Glasgow'.

John Gardner and his son, also called John, traded as the partnership of J. & J. Gardner from 1799 until John junior's death in 1818.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-666-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1922.59
• Date: Around 1815
  c. 1815
  
• Material: Brass scale, glazed brass box / wooden case
  Surveyor's compass
  
• Dimensions: 8.75" D (scale)
  
• What: Surveyor's compass
  
• Subject: 5. CARTOGRAPHY, Surveying (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: J. and J. Gardner, Glasgow (Instrument maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: Surveyors' compass with brass scale fitted with vernier, in a wooden case, made by J. and J. Gardner, Glasgow, c. 1815
  
• 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 165,171 
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