Objects Database

Silva Wrist Compass

Accession Number

1618.2021.1

Object Name

Silva Wrist Compass

Created

06/08/2021

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

06/08/2021

Brief Description

Silva Compass on leather wrist strap with metal buckle

Materials

leather, metal, perspex

Dimensions

35(L) x 5(diameter) cms

Number Of Objects

2

Inscription Description

"SILVA A-B BROD/KJELLSTROM STOCKHOLM SWEDEN 63 USA PAT 2186970" on back of compass

Colour

silver,brown

Maker

Silva

Object Production Place

Sweden

Provenance

Early navigators needed a protractor to transfer a compass bearing to a map or chart until a Swede, Gunnar Tillander, came along in 1928 and combined the two, creating what we now call a baseplate compass. It seems that Tillander was an orienteer, spending much of his time running through the Scandinavean forests. No surprise then that he decided to call his invention, Silva, which translates as woodland or forest.
Tillander teamed up with the Kjellstrom brothers in 1932 and they began production of what is now the world’s best known compass for the outdoors.
Dating from the 1960’s, this fine little compass has been produced for the American market, though we are not sure if the patent is -see opposite- American or Swedish.
Either way it found its way back to Scotland where it was used by our friend, Roger O’Donovan, man of many parts and one time principal of Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Centre.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Jane O'Donovan

Acquisition Date

06/08/2021

Condition Check Date

06/08/2021

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

06/08/2021

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