1st Mar, 2024 10:00
Cameras & Scientific Auction
Verner's Patent Cavalry Sketching Board Compass
English, c.1900, the wood marked 'VERNER'S PATENT No2971' , and stamped to the rear 'Elliot Bros London' board constructed of light wood with boxwood ends, and all brass fittings with leather strap to rear, with compass and inclanometer, along with a pair of Military Achinson Binoculars dated 1917, in a leather case (2).
Exploring the Legacy of Lt-Colonel William Willoughby Cole Verner: A Pioneer in Military Instrumentation
Lt-Colonel William Willoughby Cole Verner (1852-1922) left an indelible mark on military history through his service and innovations. Serving on the staff in the Egyptian campaign of 1884-85 and later during the Boer War, Verner retired as a Lt-Colonel in May 1904. However, his contributions extended far beyond the battlefield.
Verner's early designs centered around simple pocket compasses, with the Service Pattern models MK III to MK VII emerging between approximately 1895 and 1918. His prismatic service compasses, a development of the Schmalcalder patent design from the early 19th century, maintained their status as the standard service compass of the British Army until the outbreak of World War II. In addition to compasses, Verner crafted the innovative 'Verner's Patent' Cavalry Sketching Board, which added another dimension to his legacy.
The Cavalry Sketching Board has a fascinating origin, initially invented by Colonel W. H. Richards, a military surveying instructor at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, around 1880. Verner, briefly a Professor of Topography at Sandhurst, enhanced Richards' creation, patenting his improvements in 1887 and 1891. Eventually, the board became widely known as 'Verner's.' Further refinements by W. J. Bosworth in 1897 ensured its continued use until approximately 1930.
Strapped to the arm of a cavalryman on the bridle arm, the Cavalry Sketching Board featured a leather strap with a swivel joint, allowing users to twist the entire board for precise compass alignment. The board incorporated a compass for taking bearings, and the sketching process occurred on a paper roll wound around side rollers. As each sketch was completed, the paper roll could be advanced to provide more paper.
The utility of the sketching board extended beyond traditional cavalry use. During World War I, pilots and observers of the Royal Flying Corps adopted the board, employing it to create sketches of enemy positions and trenches. Verner's innovative contributions to military instrumentation, combined with his prolific work as an author, military historian, and chronicler of the Rifle Brigade, solidify his place as a pioneer in the field. The enduring impact of Verner's inventions underscores their significance in the evolution of military tools and tactics.
Sold for £138
Result plus buyers premium
English, c.1900, the wood marked 'VERNER'S PATENT No2971' , and stamped to the rear 'Elliot Bros London' board constructed of light wood with boxwood ends, and all brass fittings with leather strap to rear, with compass and inclanometer, along with a pair of Military Achinson Binoculars dated 1917, in a leather case (2).
Exploring the Legacy of Lt-Colonel William Willoughby Cole Verner: A Pioneer in Military Instrumentation
Lt-Colonel William Willoughby Cole Verner (1852-1922) left an indelible mark on military history through his service and innovations. Serving on the staff in the Egyptian campaign of 1884-85 and later during the Boer War, Verner retired as a Lt-Colonel in May 1904. However, his contributions extended far beyond the battlefield.
Verner's early designs centered around simple pocket compasses, with the Service Pattern models MK III to MK VII emerging between approximately 1895 and 1918. His prismatic service compasses, a development of the Schmalcalder patent design from the early 19th century, maintained their status as the standard service compass of the British Army until the outbreak of World War II. In addition to compasses, Verner crafted the innovative 'Verner's Patent' Cavalry Sketching Board, which added another dimension to his legacy.
The Cavalry Sketching Board has a fascinating origin, initially invented by Colonel W. H. Richards, a military surveying instructor at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, around 1880. Verner, briefly a Professor of Topography at Sandhurst, enhanced Richards' creation, patenting his improvements in 1887 and 1891. Eventually, the board became widely known as 'Verner's.' Further refinements by W. J. Bosworth in 1897 ensured its continued use until approximately 1930.
Strapped to the arm of a cavalryman on the bridle arm, the Cavalry Sketching Board featured a leather strap with a swivel joint, allowing users to twist the entire board for precise compass alignment. The board incorporated a compass for taking bearings, and the sketching process occurred on a paper roll wound around side rollers. As each sketch was completed, the paper roll could be advanced to provide more paper.
The utility of the sketching board extended beyond traditional cavalry use. During World War I, pilots and observers of the Royal Flying Corps adopted the board, employing it to create sketches of enemy positions and trenches. Verner's innovative contributions to military instrumentation, combined with his prolific work as an author, military historian, and chronicler of the Rifle Brigade, solidify his place as a pioneer in the field. The enduring impact of Verner's inventions underscores their significance in the evolution of military tools and tactics.
