MINER'S / PLUMBER'S DIPPING NEEDLE COMPASS WITH CASE

MOSTLY USED TO FIND OLD CAST IRON PIPES. THE MINERS ALSO USED SUCH INSTRUMENTS TO FIND VANES OR DEPOSIT OF METALS IN THE MINES. THE NEEDLE STILL WORKS VERY WELL. IF YOU GET CLOSE TO ANY KIND OF METAL, THE NEEDLE GOES DIRECTLY TO IT. KINDA COOL. tHE CASE IS WORN, BUT INTACT. IT IS MADE BY JOSEPH G. POLLARD CO. OUT OF NEW YORK.

W. S. Darley & Co. Dipping Needle with the original case.

This compass shows North and only North. I am tempted to think it was made for an Artic explorer. The needle is very delicate and long. It has its own storage case. Under the dial, there is a large coil that obviously was designed to dampen needles oscillations. This middle 19th century, or earlier device, is perfectly made.