World War One Corps Of Engineers Compass

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Hi all,

Here's one I've had forever and a day. Complete with leather belt case.

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It says:

S-Co-M-104th

26th Div.

10-12-18

France

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This part has initials:

T-F-P

and again the date 10-12-18

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And now the compass proper:

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Corps Of Engineers U.S. Army

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CE (for Corps of Engineers I assume)

No. 3393

1918

There are some other markings that I cannot make out... possibly initials and what looks like the Roman numeral IX.

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And last but not least the side markings:

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I've always wondered if it might be possible to ID the original owner of this piece by the info he marked on the case, etc. He sure seemed determined to make it known who it belonged to.

Dan

[Tony]

Dan,

Here's my one, a British Vernier's pattern VIII dated 1917 without any name scratched on it. It looks exactly the same as the US pattern.

The case to my one (can't find it at the moment) is very different to the US case.

Tony

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Dan,

Here's my one, a British Vernier's pattern VIII dated 1917 without any name scratched on it. It looks exactly the same as the US pattern.

The case to my one (can't find it at the moment) is very different to the US case.

Tony

Hi Tony,

Beautiful piece! I especially love how the base material on yours stayed red where mine got dark. Would love to see the case if you manage to find it.

Also, what does the FL stand for on the back of yours?

Thanks so much for sharing this!

Dan

[Tony]

Hmmmmm, FL? You've got me, I've never given it a second thought. I'll post the case as soon as I find it.

Tony

[Tony]

Here's the case which is marked Bench or Dench & Sons London 1916 and also has the broad arrow mark.

Just realised this is the US forum so slightly off topic although, I'm sure the US would have used the British compasses in 1918.

Tony

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Here's the case which is marked Bench or Dench & Sons London 1916 and also has the broad arrow mark.

Just realised this is the US forum so slightly off topic although, I'm sure the US would have used the British compasses in 1918.

Tony

Hi Tony,

Nice case! On the mark... I think I've heard of a Dench & Sons London somewhere along the line so perhaps that is it.

And of course we used British equipment, they used ours... same in both wars. And as they are both basically identical I feel that perhaps it's really not off topic. Gives a good comparison between two nearly identical items used by different allied nations. And to me that's educational... and I'm fairly sure the others would agree.

Many thanks for sharing it.

Dan