For your consideration is a WWII M2 compass and personal kit with canvas belt pouches. The M2 pouch has T.O. Thatcher inked into the inside cover, and a M.E.Co. 1944 in black stamped lettering below. The case is in good condition and has fasteners to attach to a belt on the back. The compass is in working condition with a few scratches on the mirror, and green paint chipped off the back. The serial number plate is missing. The M2 Artillery Compass is a special-purpose instrument designed for high accuracy. It combines a surveyors compass with a clinometer, level and a plumb built into one instrument. It was in use during World War II, based on an earlier Compass, M1 that was not graduated in mils. The M2 has readings for 0-359 degrees and 0-6400 mils. The M-2 Artillery Compass is designed to be a superior and highly accurate tool for artillery operations. The components of the M2 compass include Azimuth Scale (and adjuster assembly), sights, level, angle of site mechanism, magentic needle and lifting mechanism. The azimuth scale is numbered every 200 mils from 0 to 6400. The scale is graduated every 20 mils and can be read to an accuracy of 10 mils. The compass has front and rear leaf sights and a mirror in the cover for sighting and reading angles. The compass is equipped with a circular level for leveling the instrument before the azimuth values read. A tubular level is used with the elevation scale to measure angles of site. Rotation of the level lever causes the elevation level and the elevation scale index to rotate as a unit. The index clamps against the bottom piece to keep the mechanism from moving unless it is actuated by the level lever. The magnetic needle (the white end of the needle) shows a magnetic north direction for orienting purposes. The needle is delicately balanced and jewel-mounted, on a pivot, to rotate freely. The magnetic needle reading is taken when the bubble is centered in the circular level. The lifting mechanism includes a needle-lifting (locking) pin and a needle lifting lever. The lower end of the pin engages the lever. The upper end projects slightly above the body of the compass to engage the cover when it is closed. Thus, it automatically lifts the needle from its pivot and holds it firmly against the glass window. The azimuth scale adjuster assembly rotates the azimuth scale to introduce the declination constant. Two teeth at the adjuster engage teeth on the underside of the azimuth scale. Thus, turning the adjuster with a screwdriver rotates the azimuth scale approximately 1,800 mils. The scale is read against a fixed index under the rear sight hinge. Also included in this lot is a personal kit canvas belt pouch with waterproof matches and black tube case marked "Superdux Waterproof Sport Clothing Hamilton Carhartt Co, Detroit", as well as a Crystolon Pocket Stone for sharpening knives. There are two pouches on this bag. The larger of the pouches has black letter stamping indicating "Mar. 1918" and "MILLS" inside of a bullet outline. The buttons on the canvas show a military emblem and are marked Mills Military Fastener. The condition of both canvas pouchs is good, and the metals show a dark patina. The compass pouch measures approximately 3 x 3 1/"2 and the compass fits snuggly inside measuring 2 3/4"x3"x1". The larger pouch measures approximately 6"x 3 1/2, and the smaller pouch measures approximately 2 1/4x 3 1/2" and a total length approximating 11 1/2"