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U.S. Army officer's pocket compass during WW1 signed WITTNAUER

About the Item

U.S. Army officer's pocket compass during World War I made of chrome-plated brass in the shape of an onion clock, signed WITTNAUER. The compass is equipped with a snap-lock cover with release button inside the ring. Eight-twenty rose. Excellent fully functional condition. Diameter cm 4.5 - inches 1.8 , thickness cm 1.5 - 0.7. The Wittnauer company was founded in the United States by Swiss emigrant Albert Wittnauer in 1890, who had started working as soon as he arrived in America in 1872 at the age of sixteen for his cousin who imported luxury watches from Switzerland. In 1880 he created his own brand in partnership with his brother having considerable success right away. During World War I he worked for both the navy and the air force producing watches for the military and compasses for officers. Curiosity The first historical records of the use of magnetic directive force in Europe date back to the late sec. XII or early XIII and attribute the exploitation of the properties of the magnet to the Amalfitans. The gimbal made its first appearance around the middle of the sec. XVI. An exact description is given in the short compendium "De la esfera y de la arte de navegar," by Martin Cortés (1551), which gives precise guidelines for the construction of the compass. To the refinements of the instrument can largely be attributed the great discoveries of new lands, from the middle of the sec. XV onwards. The last photo is the gift box.

Dimensions:

Height: 0.7 in (1.78 cm)Diameter: 1.8 in (4.58 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Brass

Period:

1910-1919

Date of Manufacture:

1915

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.

Seller Location:

Milan, IT