Royal Navy Pattern 24D Boxed Compass

An impressive and rare early 20th-century Royal Navy liquid compass by Kelvin & James White Ltd., Glasgow, housed in its original dovetailed wooden transit case. Marked “Patt. 24D” and numbered 1089, the compass features Captain Chetwynd’s patented design, a striking black-and-white graduated card, gimbal mounting and optical bearing prism. The case retains its leather carrying strap, metal fittings and original maker’s instruction plate explaining how to remove air bubbles from the compass liquid. Dating to circa 1900–1913, this is an evocative piece of British naval and maritime history, displaying attractive age-related wear and patination throughout.