Kriegsmarine Schnellboot Compass

[Michel]

A very rare complete and Original Marineschnellbootkompass by Carl Plath of Hamburg with Optical Azimuth and Correction apparatus,the Compass as taken from a broken S-Boat at Falmouth England in 1946.

[Michel]

Shown is the Compass with the Optical sight fitted, the black and white image is taken from an original Carl Plath Advertisement featured in a Weyers Taschenbuch dated 1938.

[Michel]

The Compass may be seen here on the deck of an S-Boat (lower right in picture) - note the optical sight is fitted. The precision - engineered instrument of supreme quality and having the benefit of a number of inovative features measures some 310 m/m dia and 295m/m high. With optically corrected heavy glass hemispherical dome having azimuth mounting spigot to top centre. Trimming (correction) plate Nr 12 with original pale grey triangular covers over. Grey painted lower body manufactured of Bronze with integral levelling weight, Oblong aperture to bottom with spring retaining clips for fitment of lighting module. The Main housing with circular corrugated expansion diaphragm with concentrically mounted ground glass diffuser screen (this helps even illumination of the Compass card). Side mounted top up/drain ports,heavy outer flange with apertures set at 90 degrees for dogging down lips,diametrically spaced swinging spindles.

[Michel]

Heavy bronze azimuth circle graduated to 360 degrees having Carl Plath Logo,makers stylised legend C.Plath Hamburg (early pattern),instrument serial Nr 1807 and Marine property Nr "M" 1248,Kriegsmarine Eagle surmounting Swastika. The circumference with almost all its original gloss black painted finish. The standard Magnetic Compass system with highly effective stabilization and energy damping. The Semi translucent Compass card marked C.Plath Hamburg the circumference divided into single degrees, reciprocals and marked in reverse in small sized numerals, true bearings in large sized numerals at 10 degree intervals & set on a central spine and contained in an inner fluid filled plexiglass envelope - this maintained on springs and itself set on internal gymbals within the outer fluid filled chamber bounded by the heavy glass dome and main Compass body. This specialised and novel design ensured that an accurate bearing could be obtained in the most severe of conditions. This design was produced to cope with very high "G" loadings as would be experianced on a vessel moving at close to 40 Knots on a choppy sea.

[Michel]

The Monocular type Compass sight - complete and original in all respects including the very rare lighting shade with inspection ports and sliding blinds. Manufactured by Carl Path of Hamburg and having built in filters with filter selector lever to right hand side,lollipop type swinging shades for use with flip up front and rear iron sights,eyepiece lens cap with chain reatainer, Eyepiece with focusing ring and rubber eyecup, swinging objective lens cap, circular double sided sighting mirror - the dark side for sun sights the clear side for star sights, spring loaded locking device below (for attachment to Compass).

[Michel]

In box.

[Michel]

The instrument with Kriegsmarine property plate with KM Eagle/Swastika, Stylised "M" and property Nr 1788. Contained in its contemporary wooden transit case. This equipment of high optical quality and having very good optics enabled the viewer to set the internal stadia line on a target (for example a headland) and to read off the compass bearing in the bottom of the image all without taking the eye away from the sight. During low light or night time sightings with hemispherical light shield would be fitted preventing a point source of light being visible on deck, the compass bearing could then be easily read off by virtue of the internal illumination system previously detailed.

[Michel]

The Correction apparatus designed to re-swing the Compass for example if the vessel became substantially battle damaged, contained in its correct timber case and marked as shown.

[Michel]

In box

[Gordon Williamson]

A truly fabulous historical piece Michel. Thank you for sharing !

[james Stewart]

[These are really impressive pieces all the more so given the excellent condition , they look as good as new.

Thank you for sharing Michel.

[Simon Orchard]

What a great piece equipment!

Not just for use on S-boote either. Here's a photo from my collection of one in use onboard an R-boot in North Norwegian waters.

Edited October 16, 2005 by Simon Orchard