Lot 113: A First World War British Military Service Compass and Princess Mary Christmas 1914 Gift Tin

This lot features two significant historical artefacts from the Great War era. The first is a British military-style pocket compass with a hinged sighting lid, constructed of brass with a patinated blackened finish. The instrument features a white enamel dial with a 0–360 degree scale marked at 20-unit intervals, cardinal directions, and a prominent black arrow indicating North. It is accompanied by its original fitted brown leather carrying case, which bears embossed service markings including R.F.A. for the Royal Field Artillery, and includes a period-correct rope lanyard. The second item is an embossed brass Princess Mary Christmas 1914 commemorative gift tin. The lid features a central profile of Princess Mary within a laurel wreath, flanked by the monogram M and the names of the Allied nations including Belgium, Japan, Russia, Montenegro, Servia, and France. The interior retains much of its original golden lacquer.