Antique Maritime compass manufactured by Ritchie Navigation USA. It shows two patented dates stamped in the brass ring January 21,1871 and August 17, 1875 other dates from the same time period.  This leads me to believe that this compass was manufactured during the 1870's. I'm not 100% sure but a knowledgeable collector would probably know.  I'm not sure how well it works but it appears ok and is an extremely nice looking collectable. I've had this item for about forty years and simple knocked off the cobwebs in order to sell it.  As you can see by the cracks in wooden box this compass has been around for many years. THE BOX MEASURES 12X12 AND IT IS 71/2 INCHES HIGH. THE COMPASS HAS DIAMETER OF 91/2 INCHES AND SITS ON BRASS OUTER RING THAT IS 103/4 INCHES IN DIAMETER.