July Gallery Auction
Lot 28706:
Description
A World War II-era aircraft navigation instrument, identified by its label as an Astro-Compass Mark II manufactured by The W. W. Boes Co. of Dayton, Ohio. The instrument is constructed of black-painted metal with brass leveling and adjustment screws. It was designed for celestial navigation to determine true aircraft heading, particularly in polar regions or areas where magnetic compasses were unreliable. The device features a three-point adjustable leveling base, a rotating horizontal azimuth scale marked with cardinal points, and multiple calibrated drums for Local Hour Angle (L.H.A.), True Bearing (TRUE BEAR.), and Latitude (LAT.). The latitude scale includes separate white markings for North Latitude and red markings for South Latitude. The top sighting assembly includes a prism and mirror with a declination scale marked 0 to 50 in both directions. One of the integrated spirit level vials features an engraved aircraft silhouette and the text TRUE HEADING. The body is engraved with operational instructions including LEVEL, SET LAT., SET L.H.A. BODY, ALIGN ON BODY, and READ TRUE COURSE. The instrument is housed in its original black composite carrying case with a canvas shoulder strap. The label on the instrument reads: ASTRO-COMPASS MK II, SER. A.C., PART NO. 94, CONTRACT NO. W 535 AC 36491, The W. W. Boes Co. DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A. The exterior case label reads: ASTRO-COMPASS MK II, MFR’S PART NO. 94, ORDER NO. (535) 42-20419-P, The W. W. Boes Co. 3001 SALEM AVE. DAYTON, OHIO.
Instrument height: 8.5 inches
Case width: 10.5 inches
Case depth: 6 inches
Case height: 5.5 inches. Pickup is Friday, July 31, from Noon to 7 pm at our facility in Lancaster, OH. Alternate pickup day is available by appointment for a $5 fee per lot or we will provide in-house shipping for this item. If shipping – once packed up we will send you a separate invoice for shipping & handling. Shipping questions: [email protected]. Sales tax collected on this auction. Our warehouse is in Lancaster, OH. If not shipping – pickup in 10 days or we will dispose and you will not receive a refund. AB57
Condition report:
The instrument is in very good vintage condition, exhibiting minor surface wear and small areas of paint loss consistent with age and military use. All adjustment knobs, leveling screws, and sighting components are present and appear functional. The spirit level vials are intact. The original carrying case is structurally sound, showing some foxing and edge wear to the identification label and surface oxidation on the metal latch.
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