Any Clues on This?

Started by WaddWatsonEllis, August 21, 2009, 02:09:09 AM

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WaddWatsonEllis

August 21, 2009, 02:09:09 AM
My ex was a 'junktique' dealer (My words) who was far better at keeping the garage full of boolsheet than making any money at it.

One of the nicer things that she did was give me this on my birthday one year. She thought it was an officer's model compass, and she thought it was from the indian wars era.

The front (opening)  side has 'U.S.' on the outside.

The back has:

MFR'S Part No
K 1626-2

Any thoughts on this? Has anyone ever seen anything like it?
My moniker is my great grandfather's name. He served with the 2nd Florida Mounted Regiment in the Civil War. Afterward, he came home, packed his wife into a wagon, and was one of the first NorteAmericanos on the Frio River southwest of San Antonio ..... Kinda where present day Dilley is ...

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." John Wayne
NCOWS #3403

WaddWatsonEllis

#1
August 21, 2009, 10:32:31 AM
** BUMP**

I would really like to know, 'cause if it is period appropriate, I would like to add it to my clothing for an 1870s cowhand ... ex officer type I suppose.
My moniker is my great grandfather's name. He served with the 2nd Florida Mounted Regiment in the Civil War. Afterward, he came home, packed his wife into a wagon, and was one of the first NorteAmericanos on the Frio River southwest of San Antonio ..... Kinda where present day Dilley is ...

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." John Wayne
NCOWS #3403

Forty Rod

#2
August 21, 2009, 11:15:26 AM
I have one that looks identical except mine is bronze cased.  Made by Waltham.  Closing the case locks the pointer which is on a jeweled pivot.  I got mine at an antique store years ago complete with a fabric bag and a cardboard box that it came in.  The end flap of the box was torn off.

I've been told it's WWI vintage, but don't know for sure so I'm watching this post for more info.

I carry it one one end of a chain with a Waltham watch on the other end.  I don't care if it's "period", it looks cool.
People like me are the reason people like you have the right to bitch about people like me.

WaddWatsonEllis

#3
August 21, 2009, 12:17:28 PM
Forty Rod,

Mine locks down the same way.... kinda nice ... and actually pretty accurate! I used to keep mine in my cross country ski gear as an emergency nav aid.   I actually checked in on topo maps around Royal Gorge ... it agrees with the declination of the maps!

I have a double ended watch chain that I plan to wear much the same way you do yours ... even got the vests ... just have to get some coats ... LOL
My moniker is my great grandfather's name. He served with the 2nd Florida Mounted Regiment in the Civil War. Afterward, he came home, packed his wife into a wagon, and was one of the first NorteAmericanos on the Frio River southwest of San Antonio ..... Kinda where present day Dilley is ...

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." John Wayne
NCOWS #3403

St. George

#4
August 21, 2009, 02:46:49 PM
It's an Engineer's Compass - issued from WWI-WWII.

Waltham and Wittnauer are late manucacturers - Taylor was an early one - the 'part number' indicates a late manufacture date.

It's not of the era - but as far as a pocket compass goes, it was well made.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

"It Wasn't Cowboys and Ponies - It Was Horses and Men.
It Wasn't Schoolboys and Ladies - It Was Cowtowns and Sin..."

Major 2

#5
August 21, 2009, 02:51:49 PM
Not on that one exactly...

Francis A. Lord lists a Federal contractor H.W. Hunter as a maker for the Engineers, Scouts and some officers.

Lord's Civil War Encyclopeda lists , Hunter's address as 169 Williams  St. New York , NY
Marked:  Hunter Patent Army Day Night Pocket Compass.

Mine so marked, is rather heavly Brass cased..and I carry it in my 1871 RailRoad right of way Scout impression.
There is no US mark however...  

when planets align...do the deal !

Forty Rod

#6
August 21, 2009, 04:30:43 PM
Quote from: St. George on August 21, 2009, 02:46:49 PM
It's an Engineer's Compass - issued from WWI-WWII.

Waltham and Wittnauer are late manucacturers - Taylor was an early one - the 'part number' indicates a late manufacture date.

It's not of the era - but as far as a pocket compass goes, it was well made.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!


Part number?  What part number? Where do I find this part number?  :o
People like me are the reason people like you have the right to bitch about people like me.

WaddWatsonEllis

#7
August 21, 2009, 04:58:09 PM
Part numbers

My compass has the above part numbers on the non-opening, fixed side of the compass.

The side that opens has the 'U.S.' markings on it
My moniker is my great grandfather's name. He served with the 2nd Florida Mounted Regiment in the Civil War. Afterward, he came home, packed his wife into a wagon, and was one of the first NorteAmericanos on the Frio River southwest of San Antonio ..... Kinda where present day Dilley is ...

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." John Wayne
NCOWS #3403

Forty Rod

#8
August 21, 2009, 07:36:18 PM
No numbers on the case or the face of the compass. 

Front and back both have concentric rings, like very light machining marks with the US stamped quite deeply into the side that opens. 

Otherwise it's in near perfect shape and as smooth as can be.  Medium bronze color with very little patina anywhere except on the lip where the lid closes.
People like me are the reason people like you have the right to bitch about people like me.

WaddWatsonEllis

#9
August 21, 2009, 08:29:55 PM
I tink both the 'U.S.' and the MFRS PART NUMBER/K 1626-2 are both in high wear areas on the outside of the compass. The 'U.S.' is struck deeply, and would probably wear longer than the smaller, more lightly struck letters on the opposite side.

Just a guess ...
My moniker is my great grandfather's name. He served with the 2nd Florida Mounted Regiment in the Civil War. Afterward, he came home, packed his wife into a wagon, and was one of the first NorteAmericanos on the Frio River southwest of San Antonio ..... Kinda where present day Dilley is ...

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." John Wayne
NCOWS #3403

Forty Rod

#10
August 23, 2009, 02:43:29 PM
Mine just doesn't have any 'high wear areas'. Aside from some discoloration near the stem and a tiny bit of rust on the hinge, it's like a brand new instrument.

I've been all over this and can't fine any numbers whatsoever.
People like me are the reason people like you have the right to bitch about people like me.

WaddWatsonEllis

#11
August 23, 2009, 03:18:07 PM
Forty Rod,

Dunno ... it could be that the sliver metal (pewter?) ones had the part number and the ones from another manufacturer did not ...
My moniker is my great grandfather's name. He served with the 2nd Florida Mounted Regiment in the Civil War. Afterward, he came home, packed his wife into a wagon, and was one of the first NorteAmericanos on the Frio River southwest of San Antonio ..... Kinda where present day Dilley is ...

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." John Wayne
NCOWS #3403

Dr. Bob

#12
August 23, 2009, 05:37:01 PM
The silver metal is probably nickel.  Pewter would be too soft for use as a compass body.  Different makers used different marking procedures.  Many have a name on the dial and no marking on the case at all.
Regards, Doc
Dr. Bob Butcher,
NCOWS 2420, Senator
HR 4
GAF 405,
NRA Life,
KGC 8.
Warthog
Motto: Clean mind  -  Clean body,   Take your pick

WaddWatsonEllis

#13
August 23, 2009, 06:32:55 PM
Thanks Dr Bob ... I have had many like components show up in the military from different manufacturers ... one would be almost anal about documentation, and another would not want anyone to know who made it ...

Reminds me of a quote by Neil Armstong ... he was asked what went through his mind just before launch .... he thought for a second and remarked that 'the whole rocket was assembled entirely from parts from the lowest bidder',,,

My moniker is my great grandfather's name. He served with the 2nd Florida Mounted Regiment in the Civil War. Afterward, he came home, packed his wife into a wagon, and was one of the first NorteAmericanos on the Frio River southwest of San Antonio ..... Kinda where present day Dilley is ...

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." John Wayne
NCOWS #3403

St. George

#14
August 23, 2009, 09:01:49 PM
The ones without a manufacturer's part number are earlier - WWI-issue items - the one 'with' it are later - WWII-issue items, and some even have 'C.E.' indicating Corps of Engineers - the proponent for compasses.

The finish is generally nickel-over-brass - brass being non-magnetic and fairly impervious to everyday corrosion - with nickel adding a bit 'more' protection.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!
"It Wasn't Cowboys and Ponies - It Was Horses and Men.
It Wasn't Schoolboys and Ladies - It Was Cowtowns and Sin..."

WaddWatsonEllis

#15
August 23, 2009, 09:23:27 PM
St George,

As always,  just the right touch. So Forty Rod's is WWI, and I have a WWII.... neat!

My moniker is my great grandfather's name. He served with the 2nd Florida Mounted Regiment in the Civil War. Afterward, he came home, packed his wife into a wagon, and was one of the first NorteAmericanos on the Frio River southwest of San Antonio ..... Kinda where present day Dilley is ...

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." John Wayne
NCOWS #3403
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