Military History | How To Make War | Wars Around the World Rules of Use How to Behave on an Internet Forum
World War II - North Atlantic Discussion Board
   Return to Topic Page
Subject: U 214
Chrystianne    1/19/2006 3:00:01 PM
Hi - I'm new here and dont know if I am in the right newsgroup but someone gave me this compass - or is it ? please if anyone knows anything about it or can point me into the correct newsgroup please let me know. The item is pictured on my (unrelated) website, just click the submarine and see the photos. website is - this is not a spoof, please if someone knows what is it and its history I would like to know. Thanks in advance
 
Quote    Reply

Show Only Poster Name and Title     Newest to Oldest
Carl S    RE:U 214   1/19/2006 8:20:10 PM
Could be. The photos are a little fuzzy. if the silver 'needle' on top is magnetic thats a clue. It has a resemblance to the M2 compass we Yank artillerymen used. That is it can do more than just find north & provide a direction. The extra widgets can be usefull for rough survey work, and taking angles off the sun or a star.
 
Quote    Reply

Carl S    RE:U 214   1/20/2006 10:41:10 PM
Took a quick look at the book & refreshed my memory. That item is very similar to the M2 compass I used. The lack of a visable bubble level for measureing vertical angles threw me off, but the pictures are fuzzy. I do see what may be the mount for the cylindrical bubble vial, so perhaps the vial is missing. It clearly does have the disk type bubble level for taking hosizontal measurements and the appropriate rim scale. The scale for measuring vertical angles is visable, but there is a second similar scale opposite that I cant identify. The mirrored cover, the various sighting aperatures, ect... are very familar. The plate screwed to the cover indicates its origin, although that could have been added for deceptive purposes. are there any marking engraved or stamped on the case that indicate origin?
 
Quote    Reply

Seeker    RE:U 214   1/21/2006 6:48:16 PM
A good place to go would be the horses mouth.... http://uboat.net/ There are many people there who know their stuff re Uboats and there is a forum to ask directly.
 
Quote    Reply

Seeker    RE:U 214 history   1/21/2006 6:50:52 PM
Heres a bit on the history of the boat. http://uboat.net/boats/u214.htm
 
Quote    Reply

Carl S    RE:U 214 history   1/21/2006 9:43:15 PM
The compass may have been a end of tour award for a crew member transfered off the boat, or filched by a departing crew. Wish the photos were not so fuzzed. a close look at the scales would be interesting.
 
Quote    Reply



 Latest
 News
 
 Most
 Read
 
 Most
 Commented
 Hot
 Topics