BINNACLE - Nautical - 48" x 34" Wood/Brass - 11" (Cardiff)

BINNACLE - Nautical - 48" x 34" Wood/Brass - 11"

Large refurbished early 1900s binnacle containing a 11 gimbaled magnetic compass. Binnacles were mounted on the ship s bridge directly in front of the Helmsman who was responsible for maintaining the ship s course. This binnacle was built by the U.S. maker KELVIN & WILFRID O. WHITE based in Boston. It features a solid mahogany body base brass compass hood two 7 compensating globes internal brass finders bar tube (iron bar missing) and 110 volt lighting. The hood has two viewing windows (small mouths). One in the top (4 ) and one in front (5 ). The unit measures 48 tall 12 wide (wood body) 17 x 17 base and two globe arms (34 from tip to tip). The original maker s brass plaque is still affixed to the wood front and reads KELVIN & WILFRID O. WHITE BOSTON 5725 NEW YORK . The hinged front door has the original lock (replacement key) which allows access to the many racks holding the magnets necessary to adjust for magnetic deviations (five are still in place). The original light dimming assembly has been removed but the brass light shield base plate is still in place. It appears that the on off toggle switch and 14 power cord are replacements. Also the map tube originally attach to the wood back is missing. The installed functional compass shows the following information the glass retaining ring is stamped KELVIN WHITE BOSTON F2450 the gimbaled ring is stamped 2096 and the compass card art work reads KELVIN & WILFRID O. WHITE CO. BOSTON & NEW YORK. U.S.A. . The inside of this liquid compass is like new which makes me believe it has never been filled with liquid. The glass window has a star shaped superficial blemish which looks like a very hot small object landed on the surface. Binnacles of this quality size and condition are getting very hard to find. The nautical artifact I am offering is a prime example of the superior U.S. craftsmanship available during this era. Additional Nautical Items Available - Please Call Cliff (at) 760-942-2025 For More Information.