ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY (RAN) BRASS SHIPS GIMBALED BINNACLE COMPASS BY C. PLATH HAMBURG.
HISTORY
C.Plath was founded by David Filby in Hamburg in 1837. In 1862 the firm was sold to Carl Christian Plath. In 1997 the company was merged with Decca Marine and Sperry Marine into Sperry Marine. The name changed in 2000 to Sperry Marine. The brand name still exists for the manufacture of magnetic compasses.
This is an interesting find. It is a Brass ships gimbaled compass in a binnacle mount. The plate on the front is stamped Royal Australian Navy and numbered 1006. the compass itself is maker marked to C. Plath Hamburg (see above). The binnacle houses a small oil lamp to one side that illuminates the compass at night. The compass looks as not having been used and was more than likely discovered in a Navy stores unused. I cant pin its age but expect it to be pre 1950's.
This compass would make a great decorator or desk top piece.