WW2 Compass Collection

[nehalemguy]

One of my side hobbies is collecting vintage compasses and an offshoot of that is WW2 unissued examples.

Example 1.....Compass M2 manufactured in 1944 by William Ainsworth and Sons of Denver, Colorado. This is basically the Brunton Pocket Transit patented in 1894 by David Brunton. They are still made today by Brunton, Inc. of Riverton, Wyoming

This compass has its original leather case lined inside with purple velvet. The compass is marked in mils, not degrees and is said to have been issued to artillery units but probably saw a wider distribution.

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[nehalemguy]

Example 2............Next up are two unissued Taylor wrist compasses with original boxes and wrist bands. These are referred to as "Paratroop" compasses but there are WW2 photos showing other troops using these as well. These were liquid filled. One compass still retains its internal liquid, but the other has since leaked out. These were manufactured by the Taylor Instrument Co, of Rochester, NY.

 

[nehalemguy]

Example 3............Pocket compass manufactured by the Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company. These were widely issued but were part of the survival kit issued to U.S. airmen. In the kit, there is a space molded to the shape of this compass. This one is unissued and in original factory box and sleeve.

 

[User 1234]

I really enjoy these compasses! Not only the craftsmanship, but the concept of using skill and attention to navigate rather than solely electronics.

Modern equipment facilitates getting the job done, and I support that for current wartime use. But I vastly prefer the experience and nostalgia of these devices .

Thank you for sharing them.