High-quality antiques often feature hand-painted or engraved dials. Look for "crazing" (fine cracks) on paper dials, which often indicates genuine age.
Best for "the hunt," but bring a magnifying glass and a magnet (to test if the body is solid brass or just plated steel). buy antique compass
Antique compasses come in several distinct forms based on their original use: buy antique compass
Real age shows as a thin, dark oxidation. Modern reproductions often use a "brownish" chemical wash that looks uniform and smudgy. buy antique compass