Matching serial numbers on compass and compass top 2518.

With burning lantern that can be moved around the binnacle, the lovely candle burning variety that indicates that it is one of the very early  and rare ones. An excellent example with its trade label in pristine condition. Royal Navy ‘Pussers Mark’ as well as ‘Dent & Co.” Around the rim of the compass bowl.

In 1890 four compass manufacturers (Dent, Hughes, Lilley & Reynolds) were invited by the Royal Navy to compete for a new design of boat compass. The specifications required the instrument to be capable of handling the vibrations of a steamboat as well as the usual requirements for sailing and pulling boats and the resulting entries were tested aboard H.M.S. Vernon at Portsmouth.

The example offered by Dent was the best on all counts and was introduced as Boats Compass Pattern 20 in 1892. Apart from a reduction in card size (from 7in. to 4in.) in 1907, the pattern (re-designated 182) remained in service until after World War I.

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