Lionel navigation compass (not authenticated)

This appears to be a vintage nautical or navigational compass housed in a heavy metallic casing, featuring a dual-ring mounting gimbal system. The circular dial face is predominantly white and black, displaying a 360-degree scale with major degree increments, cardinal directions (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW), and a decorative fleur-de-lis symbol near the top. Visible text on the face reads 'LIONEL' alongside a monogram logo and 'N.Y., U.S.A.'. Across the face sits a metallic sighting vane or pelorus arm mechanism, showing significant heavy oxidation, rust, and surface patination throughout the metal components. The glass or plastic cover shows some grime and wear, and the outer housing displays aged greenish-black paint with signs of environmental degradation and storage wear. The attribution in the name rests on the clearly legible manufacturer text printed on the face of the dial. The owner attributes the piece to naval use around the World War II era, which remains unverified by physical inspection. The craftsmanship and heavy-duty industrial materials are consistent with mid-20th-century navigation equipment, though the item is unauthenticated and its exact functional status and history are unknown.

Based on what I can see in the provided photographs, this piece appears to be a vintage navigation compass featuring a dual-ring mounting gimbal and a dial bearing manufacturer text and markings associated with Lionel of New York. Per user submission, the owner identifies this as a naval piece from the World War II era. However, I can't verify from a photo whether the item is a period-correct military issue, a civilian maritime instrument of a similar vintage, or a later production. The visual inspection reveals significant heavy oxidation, rust, surface patination, and wear on the metallic casing, sighting vane, and housing paint. These condition issues will heavily influence buyer interest. If the assumed identification is correct and the item dates to the mid-20th-century military era, comparable mid-century navigational instruments in similar condition typically trade within the $150 to $300 range among collectors of maritime and scientific gear. If physical inspection reveals the piece to be a modern reproduction, replica, or decorative copy rather than a vintage instrument, the value would likely decrease significantly to the $30-$60 range. Would need physical inspection to confirm material composition, internal mechanism functionality, and potential manufacturer stamps that might clarify its history. To establish an unhedged valuation and confirm authenticity, an in-person examination by a qualified military antiques expert, alongside provenance research, would be necessary.