The Red Dead Redemption 2 Old Brass Compass is a unique item and crafting material you can use to create the Raven Claw Talisman for Arthur.
In the video game, you can find and collect the Old Brass Compass starting Chapter 2, after you reach Horseshoe Overlook.
The Old Brass Compass in Red Dead Redemption II; however, requires you to complete a Stranger Mission.
Where to Find the Old Brass Compass In Red Dead Redemption 2
This specific item is a reward for completing Geology for Beginners mission. This means that in order to find it, you need to start the said mission.
The main character of this mission is Francis Sinclair. In order to meet him, you will need to head west of Elizabeth, just enough so that you can be in the Northwest of Strawberry and in the Northeast of the Owanjila Dam regions.
The main purpose of this mission is to find 10 rock carvings that have been scattered in the countryside. The locations for these carvings have not been revealed yet. Your main job is to find them through elusive clues and mail them to the Post Office.
With that being said, here’s how you can find each location and log these carvings in order to complete the mission.
How To Find Francis Sinclair – Geology For Beginners
Francis Sinclair can be found within a cabin located in the northwestern part of Strawberry. The area laws are pretty rough there, so you might have to pay a bounty fee if you approach it from the wrong location.
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Francis Sinclair
However, this bounty is mainly affected by the amount of aid you gave to dirtbag Micah previously. Therefore, you’re pretty good to go as long as you can either splurge a bit on your money count or if you were being a douchebag.
Location #1: Lake Owanjila Rock Carving
Red Dead Redemption 2 – Owanjila River – Source: USgamer
The first location lies on the west of Strawberry near Owanjila lake. Begin your search after reaching the shores of Owanjila. While moving, try to find a rocky outcropping. Circle the rocks to find the rock carvings near the slope.
Here’s an overview of the location to get a clue:
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Western Strawberry – Rock Carving | Source: USgamer
The rock with the carving is stacked above a giant boulder. Therefore, keep your sights up while searching for them.
Location #2: Mount Shann Rock Carving
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Shann Rock Carving | Source: Animevania
The second location is found near the peak of Mount Shann. You will have to move towards the top right side of the ‘T’ on the West Elizabeth on the map. Once there, keep heading on the western side of the rocky path.
There is a pretty high rock up there that contains the carving. However, this one is a bit harder to identify due to all the shadows surrounding it. Here’s a look at the carving’s location:
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Shann Mountain | Source: IGN
We recommend you take your due time with each rock in order to find the correct one without having to go over them again and again. You will be able to locate a wooden cabin if you rotate over the edge to look at the valley beneath.
Location #3: Mount Hagen Carving
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Mount Hagen | Source: Shacknews
You will have to climb a fair bit in order to reach this carving. Plus, the snow makes it all the more difficult. Therefore, we recommend you pack a bunch of warm clothes before embarking on such a journey.
While climbing your way to the top, make a stop as soon as the path to the summit ends. Look towards your right to find a rocky formation. Circle around these rocks until you find the carving,
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Mount Hagen | Source: AV
That said, most of the carving is hidden on a snowy rock, so it can be difficult to locate.
Location #4: Whinyard Strait Rock Carving
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Whinyard Strait | Source: USgamer
There is a rock carving located on the northern side of Widow Rock. In order to reach this location, you will need to head to the Whinyard Strait in the West Grizzlies, Ambarino.
Circle around the ledge on the Whinyard Straight, and situate yourself at the northern side of a nearby bridge. Keep heading in that direction until you find a group of rocks.
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Whinyard Strait | Source: IGN
Now, keep looking towards your left and right until you differentiate the carving out of the bunch.
Location #5: Ambarino Rock Carving
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Ambarino Rock | Source: GamesRadar
This carving is located near the cross-section of New Hanover and Ambarino. Just keep heading north from Emerald Station. Unfortunately though, the exact location is in unidentified land.
Therefore, there’s an awful lot of tracking and exploration involved in it. Once you start following the rocky ridge, keep heading west till you find the imaginary line connecting to the Moonstone Pond.
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Moonstone Pond | Source: Gamesradar
From there, have a 360-degree view of your surroundings to locate a rocky area nearby. The fifth carving is located on top of the plateau.
Location #6: Flatneck Station Rock Carving
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Flatneck Station | Source: USgamer
This rock carving is located towards the north-western side of Flatneck station. You would need to follow the road laid near the Dakota river until you reach the southwestern side of burner-out town. Try to look for rocky cliffs from here and ascend towards the hill.
Keep moving until you find the rock carving on your leftmost side. This can be a bit tricky since you will be surrounded by a multitude of rocks, so take your time observing each one.
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Flatneck Station | Source: Softonic
Otherwise, you might have to make a re-run in order to locate the Flatneck station Rock Carving.
Location #7: Six Point Cabin Rock Carving
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Six Point Cabin | Source: GTA Series Videos
This rock carving is located near the Dakota River on the northern side of Valentine. Once you reach the Six Point Cabin, take a sharp north and follow the path until it drops down.
From there, make a left, and move towards the northeast until you reach the fallen log. Now, change your direction towards descent until you reach the nook near the cliff’s edge.
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Six Point Cabin | Source: GTA Series Videos
Follow the ledge until you find the carving etched on a rock towards your left.
Location #8: Bacchus Station Rock Carving
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Bacchus Station | Source: meghansarasan
The Bacchus Station rock carving is located within the Cumberland Forest. Move towards the southwest of the B in Bacchus Station, and keep moving in that path until you find the slope of the mountain.
Here’s a live screenshot of the carving’s location:
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Bacchus Station | Source: Shacknews
Just keep your eyes peeled to the cliff face’s side at the highest point, and you’re good to go!
Location #9: Elysian Pool Rock Carving
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Elysian Pool | Source: Shacknews
This carving is located at the Elysian Pool, close to Roanoke Ridge. Upon reaching there, cross the wooden bridge to the southeast of the Elysian Pool, and keep heading forward.
Try to look for a large rock ledge. Once found, move on top of it to find a carving etched over the rock wall.
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Elysian Pool | Source: TheFondVagabond
If you’re having difficulty finding the correct rock, we suggest you secure a high ground and reckon from there.
Location #10: Deer Cottage Rock Carving
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Deer Cottage | Source: Shacknews
There’s a rock carving located directly to the west of the N letter in Roanoke Ridge. Just keep heading towards the eastern side of Deer Cottage until you reach the east rock plateau.
From there, start your search to find the rock carvings on top of a gigantic boulder along the way. There aren’t many distinguishable boulders here in this area, so it’ll be pretty easy to find them.
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Deer Cottage | Source: IGN
Be sure to check every nook and cranny in order to avoid prolonging your search for hours.
Invitation From Francis Sinclair
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Francis Sinclair’s House | Source: Polygon
Once you’re done mailing all the rock carvings coordinates to Francis Sinclair, you will receive an invitation from him telling you to head to his home.
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Sinclair Francis Letter | Source: IGN
It’s located to the north of the midway point of Strawberry and Owanjila Lake. You can either opt to go on foot or use a mount or whatever else you’re comfortable with.
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Sinclair Francis Letter | Source: IGN
Once you reach the cabin located on the map, just head inside without any formalities, and read the note left for you on the table. Read it, and claim the Old Brass Compass from the table.
What To Do If Francis Sinclair’s House Is Closed?
There is a significant chance of the cabin being locked when you reach Francis Sinclair’s house. In such cases, simply save the game, and reload it. Now, head back to the house, and you should see it open.
If not, consider clearing your cache, but since this is a common bug in Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s only a matter of time before it’s fixed. Make sure to open and read the invitation letter before making your way to Francis Sinclair’s house since it will not work otherwise.
How To Use Old Brass Compass?
The Old Brass Compass is generally used for crafting Raven Claw Talisman. Once you’ve obtained the Old Brass Compass, simply head to the Fence, and trade it for $29.00 at the Fence for a Raven Claw Talisman.
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Fence | Source: Gamers Heroes
There’s no specific merit in obtaining the compass besides its trade uses. However, this move is almost always worth it as it lets you achieve 100% deterioration prevention in the game (as long as you have the remaining items to complete the stack).
Did you manage to find the RDR2 Brass Compass? Let us know below if you have questions, and don’t forget that you can always reach us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
