"DON'T" replace the compass! Another question no one has asked is "how is the back of the sheath stamped"? Is it indeed a #3 or a #7. I can't tell if it is a #7-5" or a #3. The handle looks quite small in diameter and the blade could by 3/16" stock.
Just sayin'...Nice knife, Capt. Chris

I agree with Mike and Chris. Don't replace the compass. Here are a few compasses used over the years and some very rough dates. As you can see, compass styles changed and the compass should match the vintage of the knife.



a) 3/4" possibly Stocker & Yale, brass, dry, late 40s to late 50s
b) 1/2" Waltham or Marbles, brass, dry, 50s into 70s
c) 1/2" Marbles, brass, dry, early 80s to mid 90s
d) 1/2" Japanese made, plastic, liquid, '96 to present

Micro-Mesh makes a kit for removing scratches in plastic. It is their "KR-70 Acrylic/Plastic Restoral Kit" as used by the military for hazy windows on airplanes. The kit comprises a number of abrasive sheets in grits from 1500 to 6000, along with Micro-Gloss liquid abrasive. It is meant to "remove light damage and restore optical clarity." I have used it successfully to polish some heavy scratches out of watch crystals. It works so well that the crystals look like new.
(They also make a "Plexiglass Lens Repair Kit" with grits from 120 to 12000 and is priced around $18.)

It's a 7-5, Cap.

All,
Thanks for all the help. I believe the take home point is use caution. Thanks.
Jim

Jim,

For everyone's curiosity, can you confirm the numbers on the back of the sheath?

Thanks!

Hi Tom,

I wouldn't mind a confirmation myself. Note that the combined length of the handle, spacers and hilt should be roughly 4 1/4 - 4 1/2". Factoring that as an aspect ratio, the blade comes in at ~ 5". The shop quit making Model 3's with a 5 1/2" blade when a 5" Model 7 was offered in 1948. Model 3's were only available in 6 & 7" blade lengths from 1948 through 1966. In 1967, a 5" Model 3 became available, well after the Heiser and pinning periods.

Best,

Ron

All I saw was the hump.

I always forget about that dang Model 7.

Thanks Ron.

You're welcome, Tom. The hump has also gotten me into trouble more times than I can count.

It looks exactly like my wife's #7-5 only from 1976 and not pinned.

Pap