B65-480 VERNIER COMPASS. D. Wingert. 6" spearpoint needle, silvered dial with fleur-de-lis at north and "D. Wingert 1838" at south. All engraving clearly done by hand. Crossed levels in dial. Dial cover, tally counter in south arm. In its original box with sighting vanes which are based on the design perfected by the Heisely family of Harrisburg makers, one vane has a rack and pinion bar for measuring slopes. Also includes a Jacobs staff adapter based on the Rittenhouse design. The sealant around the glass face is starting to flake and wear but still intact. The box includes two plastic envelopes with original hardware and the ends of a leather strap that you can reattach if you're so inclined. We were unable to find any information about Mr. Wingert, but compasses were such useful instruments in the early 1800s that there were a number of small instrument makers who made only a handful; Wingert was apparently one of them; we understand that there were Wingerts in South Bucks County. Brass has some tarnish but no damage. From the collection of Chuck Morgan. Good+ 800-1600