Vintage Plastimo Hand Bearing Compass – Military Style Prismatic Navigation Compass with Lanyard – French Marine Equipment – Bushcraft / Sailing / Orienteering
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There is something quietly reassuring about a traditional compass — a small, dependable instrument from a time when navigation relied on skill, observation, and a steady hand.
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This vintage Plastimo hand-bearing compass is a practical and beautifully engineered navigation tool, designed for accurate field use at sea or on land. Made by the respected French marine equipment manufacturer Plastimo, it reflects the rugged reliability associated with professional sailing, military, and outdoor navigation equipment.
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Housed in a durable olive drab impact-resistant casing, the compass features protective wings, a prismatic sighting window for precise bearings, and a clear rotating dial marked in degrees (0–360) along with a mils scale — often associated with military or professional navigation use. The original neck lanyard allows for easy hands-free carrying.
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Before GPS became universal, instruments like this were essential tools for sailors, surveyors, hikers, and adventurers — and they remain highly valued today by bushcraft enthusiasts, navigators, and collectors of practical heritage equipment.
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Details
Maker: Plastimo (France)
Type: Hand-bearing / prismatic compass
Material: Impact-resistant plastic body with optical prism
Colour: Olive drab / military green
Markings: Degree scale (0–360) and mils scale
Includes: Original neck lanyard
Era: Late 20th century (circa 1980s–2000s)
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Condition
In good vintage condition with light signs of age and use. The dial is clear and legible, the casing remains sound, and the compass functions as intended. Minor surface wear consistent with careful use.
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Dimensions
Approximately handheld size (see photos for scale).
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Perfect For
Sailing and coastal navigation
Bushcraft and outdoor skills
Orienteering and hiking
Military or maritime collectors
Vintage navigation or exploration displays
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Objet d’Art Story
At Objet d’Art Stuff, we love objects that speak of real experience and quiet competence. This compass belongs to the era before smartphones and satellites — when direction came from the landscape, the horizon, and the steady swing of a magnetic needle. A small but powerful reminder of the art of finding your way.