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Map measure of the month: Aristo 1323 Fächermaßstab

The handy Aristo 1323 fan scale can be used for many types of measurement, including maps. Sold for over half a century, it is still produced today in almost unaltered form.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Henri Burnat No. 61 TP ‘Special Grand Modèle’

The model 61 measure from Henri Burnat has heft and balance. Not only is it solidly made and accurate, but has also squeezed in a surprising amount of measuring capability.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Krasnogorsk Mechanical Works curvimeter

During World War II many a Russian officer would have been issued one of these map measures. Made at Krasnogorskiy Mechanicheskiy Zavod, production of the KMZ curvimeter continued into the Cold War era with little change in design

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Map measure of the month: Sakurai two-sided curvimeter

This Japanese made curvimeter provides greater capability than their simpler one-sided instrument. The 'kilby-meter' demonstrates good design, coupled with immaculate manufacture.

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Map measure of the month: Frederick Post model 1368

"It is of particular value to motorists, cyclists, hikers, etc. and also useful to architects, surveyors, schools and offices" Frederick Post Company

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Map Measure of the Month: The Action Line key tag #199

This month's measure is an advertising or promotional keychain with additional functionally, supplied by The Action Line. It is a cheaply made item printed with a company name who would have handed one out as a 'thank you' for custom, or as an inexpensive advertisement gifted by salesmen to clients.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Lutz metric and imperial

This month's measure was imported into the US by the Lutz Company following World War II. Simple in operation, with just two-measuring scales, it is a fine example of the well crafted instruments coming out of Japan at that time.

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Map measure of the month: a Turkish military measure

This months measure has an uncertain history. Was it produced for Turkey's military during or following the last World War, or for Turkish troops under German command?

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Map measure of the month: Wuilleumier Frères four-scale curvimètre

This month's measure is an uncommon survivor from one of the most important watchmakers in the Jura district in Switzerland.

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Map measure of the month: HC model 457, combination pedometer, compass and map measure

This month's measure combines three functions. Two of which are inefficient measures while the third is of questionable use. That said, it is a fascinating example of how manufacturers would squeeze extra function into an instrument to attract customers.

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Trail talk: A-Z Adventure Series ‘for walkers’ maps

For those that like to venture out on a long distance path in the UK, be it National Trail or some other route, a physical map, with the trail highlighted through it's centre, is a useful resource. And if that resource comes with Ordnance Survey mapping, it is a match made in heaven, well, almost!

map measurer

Map measure of the month: the Royal Automobile Club ‘scale rule’ bookmark

Simple scale rules were included with some road atlases published by the Royal Automobile Club. These acted as both bookmark and map measure.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Uittokalusto O.Y. Karttamittari

This months measure is a simple brass 'Karttamittari' produced and sold by Uittokalusto O.Y. Finnish word 'kartta', from Swedish 'karta', meaning map. Finnish word 'mittari', from meter/gauge/indicator, or device for measuring.

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Map measure of the month: the Automobile Association ‘scale rule’ bookmark

Simple scale rules were included with some road atlases published by the Automobile Association and acted both as bookmark and map measure.

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Map measure of the month: George Philip & Son Rotameter

"a small, but sturdily built, wheeled measurer, fitted with a dial and rotating hands which indicate lengths of traverse up to 25 feet or 300 inches" Philip & Son

Gear

Gear talk: five favourite pieces of gear in 2022

As 2022 draws to an end, Three Points of the Compass takes a glance at a handful of items of gear that were especially appreciated on trail this year. Ranging from the cheap and cheerful, to expensive and essential, each of the five were frequent companions on backpacking trips.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: John Hand & Sons “Miledial”

This map measure is a quality instrument from a well-known French manufacturer, but with a twist. The Miledial was especially made for export to the US market, to be sold by one of the premier retailers of nautical instruments

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Map measure of the month: Harvey Maps 25k and 40k ‘map-measure-go!’ laces

It is not often that a new design of map measure appears on the market. Harvey Maps bucked the trend in 2022 and released a fun little product- boot and shoe laces complete with printed scales to suit their most popular map scales- 1:25 000 and 1: 40 000.

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Map measure of the month: the “Inco” Krzywomierz Turystyczny

This months map measure was manufactured by Polish manufacturer ZZG INCO (Zakład Chemii Budowlanej United Economic Teams INCO-Veritas) for both civilian and military use. It is simple, well made and accurate.

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Trail talk: maps, don’t be afraid to write on them!

While many have made the change to exclusive use of digital mapping, Three Points of the Compass is still using paper maps backed up by digital maps on the phone when on trail. Before I even leave home, there will be annotations on my paper map- phone numbers, arrows, circles, 'tent' symbols and drawings. These are invariably added to on trail. Anathema to some, but maps are a tool to be used and abused.

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