Bear Compass ?

[MJB]

Anyone know what type/brand were used ?
Thanks,
Mike>------>

[alaskabowhunter]

I believe Bear Archery bought the brass compasses from the government. They  were WW II surplus that were supplied in military pilot's survival kits.

[TonyW]

I read that Fred Bear ran across a fellow that supplied them to the Air Force. He described it as "a survival compass that didn't look much different than a dime store compass." (see Traditional Bowyers Encyclopedia, p 68)
I have seen some on ****, one by Glenn St. Charles this year that looked pretty good.
I think they were used in Viet Nam era survival kits too.

[TonyW]

U.S. Waltham Wrist Compass
 Specifications:

 
Material: Brass case, Nylon strap
Size: 1 1/16" diameter
Crystal: Glass w/ lubber line
Needle: Card w/ North arrow
Graduations: Tick marks only, per 10 degrees
Weight: .7 oz.
Stop: None
Date: Unknown
Markings: W.C.C.  
Manufacturer: Waltham Watch Co.
Estimated value: $25

[TonyW]

Waltham also made this smaller one in the 70s
 
Waltham Escape Compass
 Handy size for hiding about the person. Tritium treated cardinal points.

 Specifications:

 
Material: O.D. Green painted brass
Size: 3/4" diameter
Crystal: Glass w/  lubber line
Needle: jewelled card w/ tritium luminous points
Graduations: Cardinal and intercardinal points only
Weight: 1/8 oz.
Stop: None
Date: 1973
Markings: WCC (Waltham Clock Company) on card
pm- 147 0.4 mc
Feb. 1973
37-10913-02 (on reverse)
Manufacturer: Waltham Clock Company
Estimated value: $20 - 25

[TonyW]

It would be nice to find a 50 year old Waltham, but I found out these Cammenga replicas are still being made today for $29.95:

Cammenga Genuine U.S. Military TRITIUM WRIST COMPASS with black wrist band
  ITEM CODE: CAM-J582T
Product Description

Lightweight and accurate. The CAMMENGA TRITIUM WRIST COMPASS, Model J582T,
provides easy on-the-go referencing for land navigation at day or night. Constructed with a machined aluminum casing for durability in the most demanding conditions. Easy to read 10-degree phosphorescent graduations are enhanced with Tritium Micro Lights for visibility in total darkness, maintenance free, for over ten years. Includes a heavy-duty nylon wristband.

Available Models
MODEL J582T
Tritium Wrist Compass


MODEL J582
Phosphorescent Wrist Compass

[MJB]

THANK YOU TONY

[Falk]

Tony,
is that a silken WW-II pilot's "escape scarf" which you used as a background in that first pic?

[TonyW]

Falk -

The picture came from this website. Look about halfway down the web page. The map does look like one issued to pilots and paratroopers.

Tony

  http://www.kitefarm.com/compass_museum/military.htm

[Falk]

On a vintage aviation parts "hangar sale" some years ago, I refused to buy one of these original scarfs because the map only showed eastern Europe. Might be the reason they were still original after all?! Not much needed by USAF and RAF.
Now I wish I had bought it regardless of the part shown, because it was only 10.00DM which is just 5.00EUR today ...