Original Item: Only One Available. This is a particularly attractive German WWII Luftwaffe AK 39 Armbandkompass, or wrist compass, retaining its black leather wrist strap and accompanied by a wartime cardboard storage box dated September 6, 1943. The compass is the distinctive later Fl. 23235-1 configuration, readily identified by the white and transparent housing elements, sighting arrangement, and reverse markings.

The AK 39 was a compact personal navigation instrument associated with Luftwaffe pilots and other aircrew. Surviving examples are preserved in several major museum collections, including examples carrying the same AK 39 / Fl. 23235-1 designation. The general configuration of this example, including its circular compass body, black leather strap, red north marking, numerical compass scale, and reverse identification, closely corresponds with documented wartime examples.

The face is dominated by the cream-colored compass card, graduated around its circumference and prominently marked with a red N for Nord, or North. The principal numbered graduations run 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, and 33, with intermediate divisions between them. The surrounding transparent housing incorporates the reference and sighting system, including the red horizontal line and the opposing black sighting components positioned across the compass.

This Fl. 23235-1 variation represents the more elaborate form of the AK 39. Period-type examples of this configuration incorporate sighting aids for taking a bearing and adjustable semicircular course-setting elements visible from the underside. The surviving black sighting components on this example correspond with a documented 1943 form of the Fl. 23235-1 AK 39.

The reverse provides the most important identification and is clearly marked:

AK 39
Fl 23235-1

The designation AK refers to Armbandkompass, literally “wrist compass,” while the numbered Luftwaffe equipment designation Fl. 23235-1 identifies this particular aviation compass configuration. The model is strongly associated with the Kadlec instrument works in Prague, which manufactured AK 39 compasses for German wartime aviation use. Because the visible reverse of this particular example carries only the abbreviated model and equipment markings, rather than a full Kadlec manufacturer's inscription.

The compass remains mounted to its broad black leather wrist strap. The strap incorporates the expected adjustment holes and a metal single-prong buckle, allowing the instrument to be secured around the wrist or over flying clothing. The use of a substantial strap was particularly practical for aviation equipment, where a small conventional watch-type band would have been less convenient over heavier garments.

Of particular interest is the accompanying gray-brown cardboard storage box. The box retains its original-style paper construction with a broad strip of brown reinforcing tape running around the center. One end carries a reddish-purple octagonal acceptance marking which can be read as BaL, although the smaller inspection number beneath the letters is not sufficiently clear in the supplied photograph for a reliable transcription. The box also carries a printed contents label identifying the instrument as “ARMBANDKOMPASS / Fl. 23235-1 / AK 39,” the Luftwaffe designation and equipment number for this pattern of wrist compass. Box size: 3 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 2"

Directly beneath this stamp is the clearly applied date:

6 IX 1943

which corresponds to September 6, 1943.

The BaL marking is significant because the German wartime aviation industry employed an organized construction-supervision and acceptance system under the Reich Air Ministry. Luftwaffe service regulation L.Dv. 61/1 dealt specifically with the Bauaufsichten (BAL) des Reichsluftfahrt-Ministeriums, whose responsibilities included oversight and acceptance of aviation-related production. The octagonal form visible on this box is consistent with known BaL inspection markings.

The date on the box also corresponds closely with the documented production period for the Fl. 23235-1 configuration with black sighting components. It therefore provides excellent period context for the compass. However, without additional documentation establishing continuous provenance, no claim is made that this particular compass and box have necessarily remained together continuously since their original Luftwaffe issue.

Condition is excellent overall, especially considering its age and intended wartime use. The transparent upper assembly remains notably clear and well preserved, showing only light surface scratches and faint age haze. The cream-colored compass card has developed a pleasing age tone with only limited spotting and discoloration, while the directional scale remains exceptionally crisp and easy to read. The red north marking and sighting/reference lines are still strong, and the black sighting components remain fully present.

The reverse is likewise very well preserved. The lighter-colored surface shows only mild age toning, slight localized discoloration, and fine surface crazing. The AK 39 / Fl 23235-1 identification remains bold and fully legible, while the surrounding dark housing retains an excellent overall appearance with only minor edge wear and scattered handling marks.

The original black leather wrist strap is complete and remains in excellent condition, retaining its stitching, metal buckle, retaining loop, and adjustment holes. Only light creasing and modest surface wear are visible from age and use. The 1943-dated cardboard box has also survived exceptionally well for wartime packaging, with only expected age toning, scattered light staining, minor edge and corner wear, and some discoloration to the brown reinforcing tape. Importantly, the BaL stamp and 6 IX 1943 date remain clear and readily visible.

The AK 39 Armbandkompass was developed as a compact personal navigation instrument for Luftwaffe flying personnel during WWII. The designation Armbandkompass translates directly as “wrist compass,” while the model designation AK 39 is associated with its introduction around 1939. Rather than replacing the aircraft’s installed navigation instruments, it served as an independent compass that remained physically with the airman. This was particularly important if the aircraft’s normal instruments became unavailable or if a crewman was forced to abandon or land the aircraft away from a known airfield.

The compass formed part of a broader system of standardized Luftwaffe aviation equipment identified by Fl. numbers, with Fl. referring to Fliegermaterial, or aviation materiel. The Fl. 23235-1 designation identifies the later form of the AK 39. This version incorporated additional sighting and course-setting features beyond the simpler earlier pattern. Its graduated scale covers the full 360 degrees, with the principal numbers expressed in tens of degrees, so that “3” corresponds to 30 degrees, “6” to 60 degrees, and so forth around the dial.

The opposing sighting elements and reference line allowed the wearer to take a directional bearing toward a visible landmark, while the adjustable components on the underside could be used to establish or retain a desired course. These features made the instrument more useful than a simple pocket compass when navigating across unfamiliar terrain. Its broad leather strap also allowed it to be worn securely and made it practical for use with the heavier clothing commonly associated with flying duties.

Its emergency role was especially important after a forced landing, bailout, or other situation in which an airman found himself separated from the aircraft. Once on the ground, the AK 39 provided a means of maintaining direction while attempting to locate roads, settlements, friendly positions, or other recognizable geographic features. In this respect, the compass belonged as much to the aircrewman's personal survival and emergency equipment as it did to routine aviation navigation.

The compass has not been tested for navigational accuracy or long-term functional reliability and should be considered a historical collectible rather than a modern navigation instrument.