Description
You are bidding on an AMAZING and BOXED example of a 100% ORIGINAL WW2 German OK38 Orterkompass (Navigation Compass), Fl. 23234! This was used not only in bomber and transport aircraft…but ALSO used on late-war tanks, such as the Panther, Tiger, Panzer IV, and others!
Though this simple magnetic compass was designed for aircraft in 1941, it was also incorporated into certain German mid and late-war tanks. An official factory drawing dated June 1944 shows this compass on the Tiger E, however there are no known period photographs of the compass installed on the vehicle.
As the OK38 compass featured a top display (the crewman was required to expose himself while using it), it suggests that this model was not for use in combat, but rather for cross-country movement off known roadways, and for recon units to accurately note their own positions related to landmarks and enemy units. Another variation incorporated the FK38 on the same mount, which had a horizontal display, thus allowing the crewman to view the compass from the copula or from a less exposed position, suggesting it could have been for use in possible combat situations.
The compass housing was installed onto a thin steel sheet that was welded to the turret roof (see photos). The base was bent so as to hold the compass several centimeters clear of the steel roof plate, possibly to reduce magnetic interference.
Made of bakelite, brass, and aluminum, this Orterkompass is in STUNNING unused condition! Complete in the original box, there are absolutely NO marks or wear! ALL its original fluid still remains and it correctly displays magnetic north! The data information, “OK38, Fl. 23234“, is stamped into the bezel, as well as the serial number. The box is 100% MATCHING to this item, and features the hand-written corresponding serial number to that of the compass. The dial has darkened somewhat over time, but that is normal. Box does feature some marks, wear, and tears. Though it would normally feature a Luftwaffe BAL inspection stamp, HOWEVER this specific example has an Army WaA acceptance stamp, proving that this was most likely intended for installation in a tank. DAting around 1945, it is EASILY the nicest I have EVER SEEN of its type! Would make a PERFECT addition to any collection, display, or restoration project!
Beginning at the late staged of 1944, Heavy Tanks and vehicles began to be equipped with infrared searchlights and other devices to establish night combat capability.
IR-Panthers and UHU were coordinated by radio and the adjustment searchlight-tank gun should be synchronized using compasses.
A manual titled “D 2013/2 – Orterkompaß 38 mit Orterkompaßstand für Panzer” existed within the army, from early 1945.
The OK 38 and FK38 compass were already being used in aircraft as an emergency compass or as an additional compass for the radio operator/navigator. Askania and Ludolph were two of the most notable compass manufactures throughout the war, and as both manufacturers built extremely reliable and sturdy compasses and mounts, it was conceivable that they would then develop compasses for armored vehicles.
When mounted on vehicles, the FK38 and OK38 compasses (being of the magnetic type) had to be installed into a “Kompasskessel”, which was completely filled with “Kompassflüssigkeit” to avoid strong vibrations of the compass rose and measuring inaccuracy.
A special magnetic compensation is installed in the bottom of the compass housing and can be adjusted into a North-south and East-west directions; and two iron “ears” are located at each side. These ears held iron blocks that would naturally acquire the same induced field as the tank. By loosening the screws located at the top, and rotating them 180 degrees, you could reverse their field and cancel the tank’s induced field.
A special screwdriver, called a “Schraubenzieher” is screwed to the housing for easy access, which allowed the crewman to adjust the compass accordingly.
The compass was placed on the outside top of the tank, attached to a steel base. This base was a thin steel sheet that was welded to the turret roof. The base was bent so as to hold the compass several centimeters clear of the steel roof plate, possibly to also help reduce magnetic interference.
