{"product_id":"original-u-s-post-wwii-us-army-m1938-lensatic-compass-by-superior-magneto-co-with-pouch-dated-september-1949","title":"Original U.S. Post-WWII US Army M1938 Lensatic Compass By Superior Magneto Co. With Pouch - Dated September 1949","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original post-WWII U.S. Army \u003cb\u003eM1938 lensatic compass\u003c\/b\u003e manufactured by \u003cb\u003eSuperior Magneto Corporation of Long Island City, New York\u003c\/b\u003e, complete with its carrying pouch. The compass is clearly dated \u003cb\u003e9-49\u003c\/b\u003e, indicating manufacture in \u003cb\u003eSeptember 1949\u003c\/b\u003e, and bears the marking \u003cb\u003eCORPS OF ENGINEERS U.S. ARMY\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M1938 lensatic compass was developed and adopted during the opening period of WWII and became one of the standard American military navigation instruments of the conflict. Its compact folding design combined a magnetic compass card with a sighting wire and magnifying lens, allowing a soldier to take comparatively precise bearings while still providing a rugged instrument suitable for field use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe experiences of WWII demonstrated the effectiveness of the basic lensatic-compass design. It was compact, durable, relatively simple to manufacture, and adaptable to infantry, artillery, engineering, and general land-navigation requirements. The Army therefore continued to use and refine the same basic form after 1945.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is marked to the \u003cb\u003eSuperior Magneto Corp\u003c\/b\u003e. in\u003ci\u003e Long Island City, New York\u003c\/i\u003e. The compass is also marked \u003cb\u003e9-49 CORPS OF ENGINEER U.S. ARMY\u003c\/b\u003e for a date of \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSeptember 1949\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is particularly noteworthy for the combination of its \u003cb\u003eSuperior Magneto Corporation manufacture, September 1949 date, Corps of Engineers U.S. Army marking, and surviving carrying pouch\u003c\/b\u003e. It represents the direct continuation of the successful WWII M1938 lensatic-compass design into the early Cold War period and is an excellent representative example of postwar U.S. Army navigation equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45888588021829,"sku":"ONSV26CNB206","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/B4179351-5138-4657-A261-731A7EA4D3D0.jpg?v=1790630413","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-post-wwii-us-army-m1938-lensatic-compass-by-superior-magneto-co-with-pouch-dated-september-1949","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}