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The original Brunton Compass (also known as Brunton Pocket
Transit and Brunton Mine Transit) was patented in 1894 by D.W. Brunton
and manufactured by Wm. Ainsworth & Sons of Denver, Colo. Hence,
Bruntons dated earlier than 1894 are clearly all fakes.
The 1894 patent Ainsworth Brunton body was made of polished aluminum (2 3/4" x 2 3/4" x 1" when closed), with a long folding brass rear sight attached to the compass base and a brass hinge between the compass base and the mirrored top; however, it did not have a front sight. A second model was patented by Brunton in 1914 and again manufactured by Ainsworth. This model differs from the original by the addition of a short brass front sight, which folded down on the outside of the top of the case. Photo of 1914-Patent Brunton by Ainsworth A Keuffel & Esser model, patented in 1926, was made of black painted aluminum, with black painted brass hinges and both long and short folding black painted brass sights; however, the front sight on this model folded down on the inside the top of the case. The Bruntons currently appearing on the market in quantity are entirely made of polished unfinished brass, with a short front sight that folds down on the inside the top of the case. Photo of 1926-Patent Brunton by Keuffel & Esser The 1912, 1919, and 1931 W.F. Stanley catalogs all describe their Brunton Mine Transit as being made of aluminum and the catalog images all show it without a front sight. Hence, Bruntons made of polished brass, with a short folding front sight, and marked "STANLEY" are also clearly all fakes. Photo of 1931 W.F. Stanley Catalog Description In fact, all of the polished unfinished brass Bruntons currently appearing in the market in quantity, regardless of their markings, are Indian-made fakes and are available in England for as low as $20. To date, we have seen examples of the following "maker's markings" on the fake Bruntons: 1) completely unmarked 2) stamped on a top plate Table of Natural Sines "STANLEY LONDON" 3) stamped on the top "BRINTON COMPASS, 1862, STANLEY LONDON" 4) stamped on the bottom "BRINTON COMPASS, ROSS EVANS, LONDON, MKI, 1914" Evans 1, Evans 2, Evans 3, Evans 4 We would appreciate hearing of any other "maker's markings" on the fake Bruntons to add to this list. |
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Stanley Sextant 1 Stanley Sextant 2 Stanley Sextant 3 Stanley Sextant 4 Stanley Sextant 5 Stanley Sextant 6 Stanley Sextant 7 Stanley Sextant 8 Stanley Sextant 9 |
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Here are some links to websites that deal in stanley sextant reproductions that are based on the models above. Although these sextants are not marked as reproductions, the sellers do state that they are repros. Castle Navigation Lighthouse Jonesport |
