UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Hunting, Forestry, and Shooting Forum 3 Reich Forestry Compass

I just acquired this item and the seller told me he bought it as a Nazi Army compass while traveling in Romania several years ago: As a point of reference the case is about 70MM in diameter and about 40MM deep.

I suspect this is a forestry item due to the stags head on the front of the case:

Each of the clasps that hold the case closed are topped with small swastikas:

The interior of the case which is lined with a leather like material does contain a compass which I suspect is of a later date:

This is the back of the case that I included so you could see the even patination throughout. I'm interested in opinions!

I'm bringing this back to the top in the hopes that someone wil have some information or at least an opinion about this item.

OK Jim, I'll offer my opinion, but I got nothin' concrete...

First, looks cool...never saw anything like it (and I have been collecting forestry stuff for some time).

Second, I would agree that the interior leather and compass are probably new.

Third I like the patina, however, I think there are an excessive number of swastikas spotted around the design ( looks just a little random & "overdone" to me).

Fourth, this particular hirsch head is proper and traditional for a hunting piece in many European countries. The swas hanging off the bottom of the neck is IMO a nice design but, again, sort of hangs out there.

Lastly, not knowing a whole lot about period compasses etc., this configuration looks a lot
like some private purchase German pocket tobacco cans that I've seen.

I'll be surprised if anyone can give you a definite ID on this thing... but, whether new or old , it's neat!

foxart:
Thank you for your reply.
I re-examined this very closely under magnification and can add the following informtion:
The swastika and stag head on the front are one piece and are applied i.e. not formed from the lid of the case.
The two latches on the side certainly make opening the case easier. The one on the side of the top lid is a separate piece. The swastika is crimped into the base and then the base was soldered? to the lid. The lower one was formed in one piece than again apparentely soldered?
to the base. Again; having two of them certainly make opening the case easier.
Because of the evenness of the patination and the consistency of wear exhibited I do believe the case itself was all created at the same time.
Your idea of it being originally a tobacco can certainly is plausible.
I will be bringing this to the MAX this year as others have requested that I do so. If you're there you will be more than welcome to examine it first hand.
Jim

Jim,

A nice, unusual piece ... possibly homemade by the owner?

Roger,

Great observations, thanks for that.

Best regards!

Bill

I agree with everything that was said. Unusual item whatever it is.

http://cgi.ebay.com/WW2-GERMAN-MILITARY-LUFTWAFFE-PILOT...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
A fellow Forum member found another example for sale on Ebay. This one has a Luftwaffe motif:

I was able to get one additional photo of the top of the lid from the seller: