Description: From the Tucson estate of a retired female lieutenant colonel and likely retrieved by her grandfather during his WW1 service over there, is this I believe French officer's compass - well made, with a sturdy brass case and the original bevel edge glass window. The mentioned soldier was Private John H. Smith of Company A, 16th Infantry regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F.. Smith had three battle / combat zone stars on his WW1 Victory Medal ribbon bar for reference. The16th infantry participated in a number of significant confrontations during the last year of the war. It was engaged in brutal fighting at Soissons and at the St. Mihiel salient, and was the only unit to capture its objective on the first day of the Muese-Argonne Campaign. The offered instrument came with some German war booty brought back by Smith that I sold off here on eBay some years ago - I still have his dogtags, a WW1 1st Division patch, the mentioned ribbon bar, and a few more personal items I may some day list. Of a type described on line as early 20th century French, its floating pointer or needle still points towards magnetic north and there is a brass slide on the side meant to lock it in place (the slide moves properly, though is no longer functional as a lock). Notice the "N" indication on the face is at 6 O'clock, meaning the compass must have hung from a cord like a nurse's watch. Be aware these are absolutely not any area of extreme expertise for me and I'm relying on information found on line - I welcome corrections if I am off the mark. Condition is quite good with a charismatic aura of time to the surfaces. Be aware I have avoided every urge to refresh away or "improve" upon any natural toning - you want that done you do it. The glass window is intact, the directional markings are clear, and everything save for the locking slide seems to function as it should. All typical and expected signs of purposeful service simply serve to validate the history, and a look at the pics should give a good idea of appearance and condition. Size is about 2 11/16 in vertical including the strap loop. About 1 15/16 in. (50mm) across the circular case and 3/8 in. deep. If you require an attractive and more or less still functional souvenir of the Western Front, or simply wish this single tangible link to a veteran who helped save civilization, this will have great meaning to you. inkfrog terapeak
Price: 49.99 USD
Location: GREAT SOUTHWEST
End Time: 2024-12-20T13:25:17.000Z
Shipping Cost: 3.5 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Conflict: WW I (1914-18)
Original/Reproduction: Original
Region of Origin: France
