Tim,
You make some good points.
I wonder how many of the standard mirror compasses actually get much use. Most of the non-professional users put maybe a couple of hours use after they first get them. Being carried in a pocket doesn't count.
Military, engineering professionals and geologist use them for several hours a day, for months on end.
The countries you mention now are supplementing other compasses as a cost savings measure, so that everyone can have a compass. Most all of them still have professional models for non supplemental use, except the Swiss Reica (now Suunto/Reica ?)
My point wasn't that M-73,G-150's or lensatics were indestructible, just more durable than baseplate/mirror compasses.
Also of the maybe 10+ baseplate/mirror compasses that I have owned, all of them eventually get the bubble, most never go away.

Just a little note the M-73 uses filtered kerosene.
The SIRS G-150 does use iso OH still.
The newer ones seem more temperature and altitude compensated, or maybe I been lucky.
It's just that no maker seems much interested in low light readability apart from the Military/Marine focus mfg.
Tritium is just great, shame the luminous markers on most baseplate compasses are a JOKE, you might have just enough time to read it after charging with a flashlight before it goes out.
Brunton Pocket transits are rated 0.6 degrees or 10 mils specified.
All actual use is not as good of course, and your right when unmounted it's even worse.
Merridian has a cardian swivel so even hand held it's good to about 1/2 degree.

Lastly the declination compensation built into baseplate compasses are nice, I don't find that a protractor (douglas-square) or an aviation style (with magnetic compensation) are much hassle to carry in the map pouch.

Also the main point I was trying to make (Hope there was a point?) was everyone is going to buy more than one compass anyway.
So maybe you first start with a little variety and find what you like.