Rare Rhodesian ‘Francis Barker’ M-71 ‘Rivron’ Compass (No.893)

This numbered, rare, early 1970’s Rhodesian ‘M-71’ Prismatic military pocket compass (No.893), was made by ‘Francis Barker & Sons’ in London and retailed by ‘RIVRON’ optometrists in Salisbury. It has a worn, black painted solid brass body with a mother of pearl dial calibrated in degrees and although it’s showing signs of being well used, it’s in great condition and appears to be working well. The back of the compass is numbered ‘No.893’ and stamped ‘F.B & S Ltd. LONDON’ ‘SUPPLIED BY RIVRON SALISBURY’.

NOTE: The ‘Barker’ ‘M-71’ is a scarce model compass, which was only made during 1971, after the well-known ‘MK III’ model that was made in 1932 and was used throughout the second world war and through to the late 1960’s. The following year, the ‘M-72’ model was produced with a reinforced hinge, followed by the ‘M-73’ model a year later, which is still being produced today and considered to be one of the best military compasses ever made.