WW2 British Marching compass Mark 1

[Grimebox]

I picked up this nice Marching Compass Type 1 the other day in its original box and with instructions. It’s shown with my 1940 dated brass compass

(More info on these type of compasses here: Mk 1 Marching Compass – Tales from the Supply Depot)

[Jb4046]

Nice compass!


But watch out for that complete radium strip in between the mirror glass. You will get a nice dose of alpha, beta and gamma radiation if it’s displayed open so don’t sleep next to it! That and radon gas

[Anderson]

Indeed. The shocking story of the "luminous women".

[Danmark]

Indeed. The shocking story of the "luminous women".

Almost as bad as "phossie jaw" that the matchworkers got.

[Grimebox]

Funnily enough I was only thinking the other day about all of the escape compasses that I have and how radioactive I have probably made my house. I might have to invest in a lead lined box!

[Jb4046]

I mean once you are a few meters away it’s nothing more than background radiation. I do recall large collections of the items can cause a build up of radon gas. That is if it was stagnant air so I guess if the room is ventilated somewhat that’s two problems dealt with.

I have one of these compass for 3 years and believe it or not the other week I only learnt about that radium strip between the glass. Since my collection is in my bed room ( an area I am in frequently naturally) I realised it was a item that had to go. It is in my shed til I think of a means to sell it on