Traditional sets as I have defined them are those designs that developed in the mid nineteenth century and continued to be made for the next 100 years or more until gradually superseded by later patterns. They were generally hand made or at least hand finished, quite heavy, and mostly designed to last a lifetime or more.
This large French set is unsigned. The nickel silver and ivory instruments are contained in a 2 tier mahogany box. In addition to the usual compasses, dividers, spring bows and ruling pens it has a set of beam compass fittings and a proportional divider. It dates from about 1900.
A set of electrum instruments by B J Hall & Co Ltd, possibly dating from the 1920s. In addition to the ‘full set’ of instruments, it also includes a set of beam compass fittings and it is complete with a knife key, compass key and tube for spare leads. Being in a japanned steel box, the set was intended for use in the field, probably originally belonging to a surveyor as there were two offset scales below the tray.