Lensatic military field compass and pouch owned by Lt. Vernon O. Nicolls

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A lensatic military field compass (2014.142.6a) with a green canvas pouch (2014.142.6b) owned by Lt. Vernon O. Nicolls. The compass (2014.142.6a) is black with a hinged cover. It unfolds into four (4) main parts: the cover, the dial, rear sight/eyepiece, and the holding ring. The holding ring is a brass loop on the back of the compass to hold the compass steady while in use. Directly in front of the holding ring is the black metal rear sight, which has a lens and an eyepiece that unfolds to a ninety (90) degree angle. The rear sight aligns with the front sight in the front cover of the compass. The front sight is a metal wire, or crosshair, running down the length of a rectangular slot. There are luminous dots above and below the slot. The dial is a black, floating circular plate.

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