Two of my grandfather, Pvt. Frank Gustaf Severin Erickson's early 20th Century compasses sit side by side. The one on the left is a 1915 Short & Mason Litenite. Frank had it with him in the war and used it quite successfully during his days as a runner for Captain William J. Cullen of the 308th Infantry. Frank was a runner / rifleman serving in Company H during the Meuse Argonne Offensive commencing in late September of 1918.

The compass was manufactured in Rochester, NY and it is set in a nickel case and has brass in the inner setting. The face plate rotates to orientation when the screw stem is loosened. The glass crystal and the outer metal ring measures approximately 1 3/4" in diameter and 3/8" in depth.

The other is a 1918 German military compass and measures 2" in diameter and 1/4" in depth. It is very similar in design to the U.S. Selsi pocket compass. The Germans made these by the 100's for their soldiers in the war. It was manufactured by a company called Stellar in Germany. Stellar was paid under contract by the German military only for one type and stipulated that they couldn't 'brand' the compass for fear it would invite private sales. The design didn't change much for about 30 years.

One from 1944 will look identical to this 1918 version. The compass is made of nickel with a brass case. Frank acquired the compass in October of 1918 during the Meuse Argonne Offensive when it was confiscated off a German officer. Frank was a member of what soon would be called, the "Lost Battalion."

These little fellows are true pieces of family history. Frank kept things safe over the years and often used these compasses when he was hunting on the Dakota Plains.