Item: Ww1 French Aviation & Usaas Aircraft Vion Compass
Sold For: $925.00
Bids: 11
Date: May 19, 2012
Auction: Ebay
Seller: 5touche
Description and Image By: 5touche
You are bidding on a very RARE World War I French Military Aviation compass made by the Famous instrument maker VION of Paris, France. This item is complete with mounting bracket and still works! It rolls and pitches fine and always returns to North.
The VION company was established around 1888 and made instruments. It was Nationalized in 1922 when the name was changed and later lost to SNECMA.
The name stamp and the markings establish this as a WW-1 period piece. It is clearly marked “Aviation Militaire” and has a low serial number. The bracket is painted lantern black and appears to be original as well. Heavy brass, it does show some wear perhaps because it is closer to 100 years old and used by the Military. This was the type of compass found in SPADs, Nieuports and others.
Because in World War 1 the United States Air Service flew French aircraft I am considering this US Army as well. This is NOT the more common Sperry that never saw service in the War. THIS IS A VERY RARE ITEM!