{"product_id":"original-wwi-british-army-short-mason-mk-vii-prismatic-marching-compass-by-j-d-watson-optician-edinburgh-with-leather-case","title":"Original WWI British Army Short \u0026 Mason Mk VII Prismatic Marching Compass by J.D. Watson Optician Edinburgh with Leather Case","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn excellent and highly collectable \u003cstrong\u003eOriginal British Army Mk VII Prismatic Marching Compass\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured by the renowned \u003cstrong\u003eShort \u0026amp; Mason Ltd, London\u003c\/strong\u003e and retailed by \u003cstrong\u003eJ.D. Watson, Optician, Edinburgh\u003c\/strong\u003e. Complete with its original brown leather carrying case, this is a classic piece of British military navigation equipment dating from the \u003cstrong\u003eFirst World War and early inter-war period\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mk VII was one of the British Army's most important field compasses and was widely used by officers, scouts, artillery observers and infantry units for navigation and map reading. Its robust design incorporates a blackened bakelite body, brass fittings, sighting prism and rotating azimuth ring, allowing accurate bearings to be taken in the field.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompasses carrying retailer markings such as \u003cstrong\u003eJ.D. Watson, Edinburgh\u003c\/strong\u003e are considerably less common than standard issue examples and add an extra level of historical interest and desirability. J.D. Watson was a respected Scottish optician and supplier of precision instruments, making this an attractive example for collectors of British militaria and scientific instruments alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example retains an attractive aged patina, clear markings and its original leather case, making it a superb display piece and an increasingly difficult British military navigation instrument to find in complete condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal British Army \u003cstrong\u003eMk VII Prismatic Marching Compass\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManufactured by \u003cstrong\u003eShort \u0026amp; Mason Ltd, London\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRetailer's marking: \u003cstrong\u003eJ.D. Watson, Optician, Edinburgh\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete with original brown leather carrying case\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlackened bakelite body with brass fittings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSighting prism and rotating bearing ring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWWI to early inter-war period manufacture (circa 1914–1925)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenuine British military navigation instrument\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent display and collector's piece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tommies Militaria and Collectables","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55467074453879,"sku":null,"price":224.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/9263\/6991\/files\/IMG_5690_3d38f0f9-808e-46e4-b407-85c27807f19d.jpg?v=1781874761","url":"https:\/\/tjsmilitaria.co.uk\/products\/original-wwi-british-army-short-mason-mk-vii-prismatic-marching-compass-by-j-d-watson-optician-edinburgh-with-leather-case","provider":"Tom \u0026 Jerrys Militaria and Collectables","version":"1.0","type":"link"}