compass information

guns3545 · 10-27-2013, 03:22 PM

Appears to be a WWII military compass all right.

We called them bearing compasses.

This compass with the sight and mirror is useful for taking bearings, laying firing sticks, etc. Also used for estimating distance/range. It is calibrated in mils i.e. mili-radians and vary between forces/countries from 6000 to 6400 to a complete circle. A Mili-radian is an option to the Point, Degree and Grad as a unit of measure of a size of angle. Its use originated in France, was played with as an alternative to degrees by the Brits and the USA, but was widely adopted by European countries.

Compasses of this type are mostly used in artillery and mortar units. Added: Just had a call from a buddy who was Armor and he said that the Wehrmacht Armor units also used this type of bearing compass.

Interestingly in WWII, the leadership of the German Forces decided that all military compasses would be graduated to 6400 mills. Thus all references, bearing, directions etc would be so written and oral commands would be given in mills with 6400 mills being a complete circle/compass rose. Therefore as far as I am aware, all compasses in WWII within the Wehrmacht had 6400 mills. But I am not an expert and stand to be corrected.

You got a real bargain here. Congratulations.

John

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10-27-2013, 03:22 PM	#7
guns3545 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 438 Thanks: 661 Thanked 493 Times in 219 Posts	Appears to be a WWII military compass all right. We called them bearing compasses. This compass with the sight and mirror is useful for taking bearings, laying firing sticks, etc. Also used for estimating distance/range. It is calibrated in mils i.e. mili-radians and vary between forces/countries from 6000 to 6400 to a complete circle. A Mili-radian is an option to the Point, Degree and Grad as a unit of measure of a size of angle. Its use originated in France, was played with as an alternative to degrees by the Brits and the USA, but was widely adopted by European countries. Compasses of this type are mostly used in artillery and mortar units. Added: Just had a call from a buddy who was Armor and he said that the Wehrmacht Armor units also used this type of bearing compass. Interestingly in WWII, the leadership of the German Forces decided that all military compasses would be graduated to 6400 mills. Thus all references, bearing, directions etc would be so written and oral commands would be given in mills with 6400 mills being a complete circle/compass rose. Therefore as far as I am aware, all compasses in WWII within the Wehrmacht had 6400 mills. But I am not an expert and stand to be corrected. You got a real bargain here. Congratulations. John