Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 396:
Description
WWII German Luftwaffe AK 39 2nd Pattern Armbandkompass, marked "AK 39" and "Fl 23235-1" to the transparent reverse charting window, with attached leather wrist strap. Offered here is an original World War II Luftwaffe wrist compass, the Armbandkompass 1939 (AK 39), 2nd pattern, identified by the factory markings "AK 39" and the Luftwaffe equipment specification number "Fl 23235-1" printed to the clear underside window. No individual recipient or unit provenance accompanies this piece, and its documented history rests entirely in the standardized markings and pattern features characteristic of Luftwaffe aircrew survival and navigation equipment of the period. Developed for issue to Luftwaffe pilots, aircrew, and Fallschirmjaeger paratroopers, the AK 39 was designed as compact emergency navigation equipment, worn strapped over a flight jacket cuff or glove so that it remained accessible in the event of bailout, forced landing, or evasion behind enemy lines. The 2nd pattern, distinguished from the earlier solid-backed Fl 23235 variant by its transparent underside aperture and inscribed alignment line, allowed an airman to lay the compass flat against an aeronautical chart and read a bearing directly through the case – a practical refinement that reflects the field-tested evolution of German aircrew equipment as the war progressed. Compasses of this type were produced under contract by precision-instrument makers such as Kadlec (Instrumentenfabrik Prag) and Bousset, both pressed into Luftwaffe supply chains, and surviving examples are most often recovered from downed aircraft sites, former Luftwaffe stores, or veteran bring-back groupings. The compass retains its black synthetic (Bakelite-type) housing with a ribbed outer bezel, the floating numbered dial bearing a red "N" and cardinal markings visible beneath a domed crystal, with a dark sighting line running across the face between two black triangular pointers. The reverse shows the pale transparent viewing window printed with "AK 39" and "Fl 23235-1" and crossed by a red alignment line, allowing the bearing to be read directly against a chart. One leather wrist strap remains attached at the lugs via a fixed metal keeper, the strap showing surface crazing, creasing, and light losses to the leather finish consistent with age and service wear. Condition is good and consistent with an operationally issued piece of this vintage: the housing is solid with no cracks noted to the main body, the dial has mellowed to a warm ivory tone with light handling wear, and the fluid chamber appears substantially preserved in the photographs, though its level and the compass’s operating accuracy have not been tested. The crystal remains clear enough for the printed graduations and reverse markings to be read plainly. A well-marked and visually striking example of the improved 2nd-pattern Luftwaffe wrist compass, its numbered chart-reading reverse a tangible reminder of the practical navigational ingenuity built into German aircrew survival gear.
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