Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 173:
Description
WWII US Corps of Engineers Lensatic Compass & Pouc. WWII U.S. Army Corps of Engineers M-1938 Lensatic Compass by Superior Magneto Corp., L.I. City, N.Y., complete with its original M-1910 style OD canvas belt pouch Offered here is a well-preserved World War II era M-1938 lensatic compass, the standard-issue navigational instrument carried by American soldiers, engineers, and officers throughout the war. The interior lid is clearly maker-marked "CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY" and "MANUFACTURED BY SUPERIOR MAGNETO CORP., L.I. CITY, N.Y., U.S.A., " firmly documenting its origin with one of the conflict’s largest wartime producers of handheld and wrist compasses for the military. No individual soldier’s name or unit marking is visible in the photographs, and no separate published history accompanies the piece – its story is that of a common, essential tool relied upon by countless GIs rather than a single documented recipient. Procured chiefly through the Army Corps of Engineers, the M-1938 lensatic compass became one of the most ubiquitous pieces of individual equipment in the American arsenal, issued across every theater from North Africa and Europe to the Pacific islands. Its folding brass sighting wire, rotating bezel graduated in both degrees and mils, and magnifying lens allowed a rifleman or engineer to shoot an accurate azimuth in the field, while its luminous-painted dial made night navigation possible – a critical capability for engineer reconnaissance parties laying wire, breaching obstacles, or scouting river crossings under cover of darkness. Compasses of this Superior Magneto Corp. production run would have equipped soldiers landing at Normandy, slogging through the Huertgen Forest, or cutting trail through the jungles of New Guinea and the Philippines, making this an emblematic artifact of the everyday soldier’s kit. The compass presents in very good original condition: the aluminum case retains its black finish with light-to-moderate paint chipping and edge wear consistent with genuine field carry, and the maker and Army markings remain crisp and fully legible on the lid interior. The glass crystal is intact and free of cracks, though it shows a hairline surface scratch and expected haze; the luminous dial markings, still reading clearly in white and orange against the black face, show only minor aging typical of the type. The brass sighting wire and folding lensatic peep-sight move and lock as designed, and the rear-mounted suspension ring remains present. Accompanying the compass is its correct dual-snap OD canvas carrying pouch, fitted with wire M-1910 style hooks used to attach it to an M-1936 pistol or cartridge belt; the pouch shows light overall toning, minor fraying along the webbing edges, and all lift-the-dot snap fasteners present and functioning. No additional accessories, paperwork, or insignia accompany this lot beyond the compass and pouch as pictured. Condition throughout is honest and consistent with genuine wartime field issue and use, with no evidence of cracked crystal, replaced parts, or later refinishing. A solid, maker-marked example of the compass that guided America’s soldiers and engineers across every theater of the Second World War.
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