Does anyone have TM 5-6300-3?
That is the Army's manual for 1' Dietzgen Transits.
The current project is to figure out how to get the glass cover off of the compass box. It is knurled so perhaps it just screws off?
I can get one on ebay for $10.
I used one that looked identical to yours in the early 70's.
It is fine threaded. Being brass it can become too snug. After many years of being intact, any substance can leave a film on the threads. If it is a machine oil film, setting it out in the sun may help. If not as it cools that may also help.
A kitchen aid silicon jar grabber or similar helper can be useful.
Loosen the needle slightly to avoid damage to the glass.
I know where the one I used is, however, I have not been able to talk him into letting it go.
:plumbbob:
I can't help with the compass thing, but I did find a source of military technical manuals that might be of general interest: Liberated Manuals.
One of their offerings, which pertains to a specialized theodolite apparently used to track balloons, has instructions for adjusting things like the vertical circle that might apply to any open-circle instrument.
If putting in the sun does not work, try the frig or freezer.