A superb and apparently little-used early 20th Century miner's dial from the workshops of Alexander Ferrie Mabon of Glasgow. The instrument is beautifully engineered, being of heavy brass construction and unusually large in size, having a 6½" silvered compass dial. It comes complete with its original fitted wooden case with maker's adjustment plate dated 1924, and brass-bound tripod stand. In standard configuration it stands 84cm high, but with the tripod extensions this height increases to 160cm, making for an impressive display piece.

Mabon was born in 1856 and operated as an optician and scientific instrument maker, based in Glasgow's Bothwell Street. He was well known for his precision and attention to detail, turning out instruments of the highest quality and accuracy. Perhaps it’s not surprising that his other great passion was model making, meticulously recreating in the minutest of detail some of the greatest vessels that ever came out of the famous Clyde shipyards close to where he worked.

Condition: A fine example. The brasswork is extremely good, still protected by its original lacquer with only minor age-related wear. The silvered compass dial is superb. The compass needle orientates correctly and the locking mechanism functions correctly. Both spirit levels are intact. The case is very good, again protected by its original French Polish which retains good colour and shine and bears only minor few scuffs and scratches. The leather strap is present. The tripod is in very good order, with some tarnishing to the brass fitments, consistent with age and use. It is complete with screw-on feet and leg extensions.

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