This unique devices were used in WW2 in bombers to find the true North, in the North African Desert (on tanks and other vehicles) and later in expeditions to North Pole or South Pole where the normal compass does not work properly. The device is using the azimuth of the sun to obtain a true direction. The Abrams Universal Sun Compass is made by Abrams Instrument Co. Lansing Michigan. This particular model has the serial number 699 and the inspection tag matching the plate on the case dated August 30 1944.
The device is in excellent condition with most of the parts and accessories: solar plate, date bar, protractor plate sub assembly ( 8 1/2 in diameter), bar shadow, 2 gnomon rods, 2 shadow rods (one 6 1/2 inch one 3 1/4 inch ), 2 level vials and gimbal mounting with 2 screws. The case contains 2 original instruction manuals dated November 1943, one of the instruction manual is affected by water and the pages are glued together. The original wood case is in very good condition with a few cracks on the bottom and central section. Dimensions: 9 3/4 inches x 9 3/4 inches and 3 5/8 inches. Excellent addition to your navigational instruments collection.
