Francis Barker M73 compass – instructions

Years ago I discovered an old compass laying in the desert. It was missing some pieces, and was quite beat up. It was stamped on the back "M73", and "DICI M900". I tried to find a soldier who might've dropped it, but no one was missing a compass. I brought it back from SouthWest Asia when my tours ended, and brought it with me. I cleaned it up but never tried to find any parts to repair it. Today(20ish years later) your video was randomly(?) placed into my YouTube cue. I immediately recognized the compass you were working with, and dragged my old veteran out to confirm I'd found a Francis-Barker M73 all those years ago! Now I want to try to get it repaired back to it's original condition. The prism is missing, as is one screw for the cover. I'm sure the Tritium is depleted, but the compass works exactly as it should. Thanks for making this video!

My introduction to the M73 was in the British army (in mils). It was a WOCS item (War Office Controlled Stores), and a firing squad if you lost it!!! But I loved it, and on leaving the army (1985) I bought one (in degrees), and never regretted it. I note that Silvermans are currently offering them at £599, (Sept 2023), so I can see why the army got a bit miffed if you lost one! I use it often, but I accept that using a base-plate compass does make life a bit easier. But quality? World class! Since every part is replaceable, there is no reason why it should not last pretty much forever. If you can afford it, get one. And your review? First class. Thank you.

Please leave the "outtakes" in! Most informative. And, thank you for making this video.

Thank you very much for a good and informative video, sir! I bought a Francis Barker M-73 Degrees Prismatic Compass made by Pyser Optics 6 years ago. As a gift to myself as a pensioner. I have used many different compasses on fishing trips or mountain walks when I am at the cabin in the mountains. And in my younger days on runs in the woods and fields. The Francis Barker compass gives me so much joy because it is so easy to use. And because it requires a little bit extra focus, the joy of finding the right course every time is so rewarding. I find my way back to old skills, mastery, curiosity and playfulness. It is a tool for pure joy! I always carry a protractor, ruler and pencil in my map pocket.

I ran into my M-73 at a pawnshop here in Dallas.... $40 including the black leather case! They wanted $80 but I talked them down to $40. Lucky dog! Yes it is all brass and says M-73 and Made in UK on the back and it has a serial number. It is a keeper and I use it on hikes now.

I can’t believe I ran across someone else who also uses a FB M73. It’s one of 5 compasses I have on me anytime I’m doing map & compass. Cheers 👍🏻

For general mincing around , I used my Pusser`s SILVA but for accurate work, for mortar or artillery fire control, Naval Gunfire in Support etc, I used my M73. They are highly accurate but are affected by large metallic objects (tanks, helicopters ) and anything with a powerful electro magnetic signature or even a personal radio. Such objects had to be given a wide berth if an accurate bearing was required! They are expensive, doubly so in the Royal Marines where you would be charged for the one you lost and charged again for it`s replacement ! Which is why mine was securely tied around my neck and lived inside my smock!

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your assistance in my purchase of a Francis Barker M73 prismatic compass. I appreciate precision instruments and am an avid outdoorsman. Once I watched this video on the M73 I wanted one but found the price a bit daunting. After saving a bit and being patient I purchased one and I have to say I was not disappointed. The construction and material choice was top notch and I am happy to share it has already become my everyday carry compass. The leather case, though not being currently used, is also exquisitely crafted from fine materials.

The M73 is almost identical to my dad's army issue compass from 1940, although it's stamped 1918 on the base. The lid is marked with 'Verner's Pattern VIII' . A very solid piece of kit. 😊

Thank you this was very informative. My father used to have a WWII version of this compass, which I used to marvel at, due to the engineering and the fact that it looked like it could survive a direct hit from a nuke. Sadly it was lost when he died and his house was cleared. From a purely sentimental point of view I’m looking at buying one for myself. Thank you again for evoking that memory, and the instructive video. Keep up the great work.

You are a very easy presenter to watch. Very informative.

Hola amigo te escribo desde Estepona en Málaga,España, aquí es muy difícil encontrar a alguien con una de ellas, yo tengo la suerte de tener una, al principio me costo algo usarla😊, pero ahora no la cambiaria por ninguna y sí , la uso para mis excursiones, todo el mundo me pregunta donde la compre, esa es otra historia, pero cuando les digo el precio 😢😢, llevo tres años con ella. Tu vídeo sobre ella es el mejor dé YouTube, un saludo desde España. 👍👍

Nice work sir.. I have looked at (and for) this compass over the years and have now found a new one at a GOOD price. I like to use instruments of quality, and agree with your review.. The m-73 is a fine piece of engineering and if the military can break it, I'm sure it will survive in my hands. Your review and instruction is first rate and I look forward to many more.. DG.

great video i was given the degrees one by a female friend it cost about £180 to get it serviced i plan on using for backpacking .as i have had a lot of silva compass brake whilst i am in the middle of nowhere !.

Being a bit of an "excessive compulsive" person, I have a small collection of compasses. About 35 as of last count ! And, though I've always admired the Francis Barker, it is so costly that I'll probably never be able to buy on just to put on display with my "Collection"! Thanks for the informative video !

There's no dispute the M73/M88 compasses are truly high-quality, well-engineered works of art. (For years I admired them from afar Recently I scraped up the funds and bought a genuine, new, M88. It now sits on my desk. I admire it, and "fiddle" with it, but, although I'm an avid backcountry denizen, I don't ever take it to the field and rely upon it.) To paraphrase Kipling who wrote: "You may talk of gin and beer... but when it comes to slaughter, you will do your work on water," when I need to do serious field map and compass work, I depend on my Suunto MC2 - Global compass. When the chips are down, I'm less likely to screw up by inducing human error with the Suunto. I'm baffled by the remark in this otherwise excellent video that "the M73 isn't intended for trekking/hiking/civilian use, they're intended for military use." What does that mean? I've been an outdoors civilian all my life, and was a Special Forces soldier for 30 years. The basic reason(s) for using a compass (accurate navigation, Geo-location) are the same regardless of the civilian or military end purposes. In all my military years, I never encountered an experienced Special Forces operator (US or UK) who used the M73/M88 for field work. (I have no direct knowledge, and so it's possible that Brit military in the engineers or artillery (who operate from fixed bases), may use the M73/M88 for precise plotting, the same as their U.S.counterparts use the Brunton M-2 surveying compass.) For units like infantry/Special Forces who are afoot and moving, the M73/M88 isn't a good choice. The circumstances are rarely optimal (weather, terrain, tactical situation, fatigue, hunger, and other "distractions"). Trying to mentally do the math needed to accurately use the M73/M88 with a topo map to sort out declination in those conditions is a recipe for possibly life-threatening error. Taking all the mental gymnastics out of the equation by using a modern compass like the Suunto or Silva (that allows adjustment beforehand for declination), simplifies the task and eliminates one element in avoiding mistakes. But that isn't to say I don't still love and admire my M88 and respect the quality and workmanship (in the same way I admire classic old rifles). Cheers

Wonderful presentation of this very fine, precision albeit expensive instrument. When my wife asked me what I wanted for our 40th anniversary I sent her a link to this video. I can't thank you enough and wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying the new grill brush I received on our special day!

I’ve never heard of it but….NOW I NEED ONE! 😂😂. I have my old Cammenga from the Army in the 80’s, still glows nicely. I recently bought a Suunto MC2 but haven’t had the time to play with it much.

I'm glad I found you. Wonderfully put together vlog. Please don't stop. Bye for now...

Excellent video describing an old friend…very well presented.