Today's posting is a beautiful little compass that I picked up at a yard sale several years ago.
The compass is a U.S. Engineer Corps. marching compass that dates to WW1. It is of exceptionally high quality and is quite heavy for its size. The compass was manufactured for the U.S.Government by the firm of Cruchons & Emons, of Berne, Switzerland.
The compass body is machined from a solid block of brass with a jeweled card pivot. The face of the card, and interior of the lid, are painted with original radium paint. This type of compass is the first reliable compass that the U.S. Government put into service. Previous types of compasses, made in the USA, were quite unreliable.
The lid features a very unique piece that is attached to the lid edge, that moves the locking knob to secure the compass card each time the lid is closed. The lid also features a brass mirror that is meant to be highly polished so that the bearing on the card can be read while sighting through the V-notch.
Here is the photo spread on this wonderful gem of a compass:
Here are some WW1 vintage photographs of various U.S. Engineer Corps. soldiers in Europe during The Great War.
22 comments:
Thanks for your post. I have the same Compass # 50072.
Am at an age I need to let go of things if anyone is interested in this one.
lesandmary@sbcglobal.net.
Have the same Compass # 50072
At an age need to let go of things.
lesandmary@sbcglobal.net
hej jeg har også sådan en gammel sag no.27290 vis nogen har interesse hilsen khh72
hilsen khh72
k.hedegaard@live.dk
My husband has this same compass, handed down from his Great Great Grandfather. Would love to know how to find out more about it, any ideas where to start?
i have one of this item, any idea how much it'll coast if i would sell it? thank you..
As to value....... it is a "buyer's market". What I mean by that is that it is worth exactly as much as someone is willing to pay :-)
eBay is the best place to determine current market value. Start prowling eBay and watching what they sell for.
Hi Les,
Do you still have the compass? I am interested in buying it if so. My Grandfather had one #63878
drbmarineet
I have this compass also, #41899 and would be willing to sell it. Also curious what a general value might be. Thanks
# 51804
I have the same compass too! Mine is a lower number, No 5067. Thanks for the info on this. I was looking on Amazon for a compass to use and they all looked like garbage. I will just use this guy.
I have the same exact compass numbers 68424
Totally functional, sn# 70758. Unfortunately mine has a cracked crystal. What a fantastic piece of history. For sale if anyone is interested.
I inherited #25012 from my Dad, I assume it was my Grandfather's during WWI.
Mine says #4618
I have my grandfather's compass No. 33216. Amazing piece which will be handed down to my son.
Samfer:
I just picked up this same compass No. 7800 but it says it is made in Paris. Any idea on the vintage?
I just found one underneath my parents magnolia tree where my daughter swings! So cool thanks for the information.
I have the same. No.39893
I have a rarer one that is stamped Paris #9330. It also has the mirror on the lid which is an insert in the lid.
Thanks for the great information and excellent pictures! I have identical compass No 29790...made only 2 digits after yours! They are brothers! Thanks again for the great info.
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