Bidspirit auction | 1919 J.H. Steward Ltd Brass

1919 J.H. Steward Ltd Brass British Military Universal Equinoctial Ring Dial and Compass - A 1919 universal equinoctial ring dial and magnetic compass by J.H. Steward Ltd. The instrument is of solid brass construction, featuring a circular base plate supported by three threaded knurled levelling screws and containing two inset spirit levels with green-yellow fluid. A central glazed magnetic compass is engraved with cardinal and intercardinal points and a degree scale. A hinged latitude arc graduated from 0 to 90 degrees sits above a hinged equinoctial hour ring engraved with Roman numerals from III to XII to IX, with markings for North Lat. and South Lat. A central gnomon bridge spans the hour ring and features a sliding cursor. The base plate is engraved J. H. STEWARD LTD and 406 STRAND LONDON. The compass dial features engraved text including INNER CIRCLE OF COMPASS, COMPASS & SUNDIAL, and partially obscured text reading GRADUATED IN SOUTH CO... and ALTITUDES. The underside of the base bears an engraved broad arrow symbol above a capital I and the date 1919.