We want to help you sell your quality Antiques in this Category. 

If you have a collection of similar antiques and want further info please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages for further info.

 

Antique American Surveying Transits Sales Archive

 

Berger Transit w/ Aux. Mining Scope Attachment  This was the third surveying instrument I ever bought that has a provision for taking an auxiliary scope used in mining applications, that as can be seen, mounts either on top or on the side of the transit.  These auxiliary scopes were typically utilized in mining applications as a means to more readily determine locations and reference points.  I have bought and sold a lot of transits and levels by various manufacturers over the years, and during that time saw very few surveying instruments that had this provision to take an auxiliary scope that this style of transit does.    This example showed up on eBay one day with a BUY IT NOW icon and I hit it just a couple of hours after it had been listed.  I figured I had done OK.  Over the next month or so 3 more appeared on eBay, with each one bringing less than the previous.  One of them was in absolutely immaculate condition, and I was the underbidder, with the next lower bidder at a lot less than I paid for this one. The other in lesser condition after 10 days bought just about what I paid for this example.  Is it a case of them not being rare, or did these examples come out of the woodwork so to speak because of the price paid for the first one, or was it simply a fluke of timing.  Over the years I have seen and / or been part of this kinds of scenario before.  Where you run into a pocket of something that was previously considered very rare, and suddenly there are a dozen or more of them available. The prices fluctuate, and are volatile for a while.  I have yet to figure out exactly where this instrument fits into this picture, but it is a very nice example and comes complete with its tripod and box.  The auxiliary scope is a different finish, but that is to be expected and not improper.  The counterweight is also present, as well s two different style sunshades.     The box is in nice condition overall. and there are three different labels glued to the inside. The overall condition is very nice, and I believe that this instrument was factory refinished at one point it is so nice.  All bubbles are good, and all of the screws and motions turn freely as they should.   The collapsible tripod is very nice as well and is included in this offering.   

Excellent  .....  SOLD!              

 

 

Buff & Buff Surveyor's / Engineers Transit  This is a nice looking surveying instrument by one of the best known makers of surveying instruments in America.  George Buff studied under and made instruments for a number of other makers before going into business for himself in the 1860's.  In the 1890's he formed the company Buff & Buff in New York and this company remained in business until 1980 or so.  This instruments design was their mainstay and was produced for over 70 years from the research I have seen.   The condition is very nice noting the missing eye piece end cover, the optics are fine, and a repair to the Mahogany box.  The serial # and patent date can be seen in the close-up of the compass face, which also shows how nice the finish is.  The finish on the instrument itself is super and original.  I believe it dates from the first quarter of the 20th century.       

Good++ ............$795.00       SOLD!    

 

 

Heller & Brightly Transit  The serial # on this super condition Surveyor's transit is 4683, and from the information available from the Smithsonian's informative site on surveying instruments we can surmise that this instrument was made in the early 1870's just a few short years after this company was formed between Charles Heller and Charles Brightly. The serial # can be found in three separate places, on the inside of the box, on the lower detachable leveling base, and under the glass of the highly engraved compass face.  From the information found at the Smithsonian's site we can see that this company started their serial #'s at 4400 which would put this instrument at the very beginnings of this companies time line.  ( see below for the info from that site, and a link to it for further info )  The original condition of this instrument is second to none, and it is obvious that it has seen little or no use over the last 130 years.  The unusual Mahogany box is nice, noting that the leather handle has come unattached.      This transit also includes a correctly marked and original tripod, and the correctly marked original plumb bob and an instruction sheet on setting the instrument up are also included. ( These are Not Pictured )  The original lacquer finish is near perfect and all motions are free and smooth.    The level vials are all good.   These early transits were hand built and Heller and Brightly was a small company that produced less than 100 instruments a year in their early days.  Note the unique feature of the leveling base being detachable and fitting into a separate holding position inside the box.       All in all one of the nicest and earliest American transits that I have had the pleasure of buying.  The condition is second to none, and it will be a long time before another in this condition or this early ever shows up again on the market.

 Excellent++ .....$SOLD!!  

 

Info from the Smithsonian Site

Heller & Brightly Charles S. Heller (1839–1912) was born in Germany, and moved with his family to the United States in the late 1840s. He went to work for William J. Young in 1855, and became a partner in William J. Young & Co. in 1865. Charles H. Brightly (1817–1897) was born in England, arrived in the United States in the 1830s, and worked as a machinist in Philadelphia before going into partnership with Heller in 1870. Within a few years Heller & Brightly were said to have "done more than any other [firm] in this country of late years to increase competition in the trade, and to wake up the different makers to a sense of the many improvements that may be made in the instruments in common use." Heller & Brightly instruments were used in every state in the union, and in several foreign countries. The firm was incorporated in 1926, and remained in business until 1968. Heller & Brightly was a traditional craft workshop. There were only a few employees at any one time, each could produce an entire instrument, and each was reasonably well paid. They produced some 100 instruments per year from 1870 to 1887. Annual production rose to 216 instruments in 1891, then dropped precipitously and remained at modest levels thereafter. Each instrument has a serial number, the first being #4400. Most Heller & Brightly instruments were ordered directly from the shop, with only a few sold in stores. Ref: Robert C. Miller, "The Heller & Brightly Records," Rittenhouse 4 (1990): 43–55.

Link:   http://americanhistory2.si.edu/surveying/maker.cfm?makerid=16

 

 

Dietzgen Transit w/ Aux. Mining Scope Attachment & Scope w/ Setup for Solar Attachment  This transit dates from just after the turn of the last century.  I have an auxiliary sighting scope that fits onto the outboard attachment point, but I am also in the market for the small solar attachment that the top of this transit is set up to accept.  I believe it is a similar looking telescope affair that is mounted in a U shaped yoke with a center threaded rod that would go into the fitting visible on the top.  It is a female receptacle, and a different size from the base of the other scope that is present now.  

SOLD!

 

Buff & Buff Engineer's or Builders Transit  The overall condition and look of this surveying instrument from the famous Boston Maker Buff & Buff, which dates from the early part of the last century is second to none.  It is fully operational and all moving parts and adjusters move freely.  All 3 of the level vials are good.  The sight glasses are nice as well.  The Compass is operational, and its locking feature functions.  The clear lacquer finish is near perfect and original.  The green finish portions on the supports and wheel cover are in great condition also and add a great contrasting look.  The box is also very nice as well.  A super piece for display or the collection.     Excellent .....$675.00   SOLD!! 

 

 

A. Lietz Co. Light Mountain Transit   I believe that this beautiful little instrument would be considered a Light Mountain Size Transit, both because of the overall size, and the bayonet or twist lock system for locking it to the tripod.   But it may be their Expedition size as it is so small, and I have no catalogs to check on this.   The tube measures 7.5 inches long, and the overall height is just about 10" to the top of the wheel.   The optics are clear and crisp as are the 3 crosshairs.  The compass measures just 3" across and works properly.  The limb measures 4.5 inches across at this point. The serial #  6220 is written on the compass face which is black and in perfect condition.  The level vials are good and appear to be original.  All of the other knobs and wheels appear to be working as well.   This  piece has never been polished and has a nice even patina.  Those portions that were finished in black look good as well, noting some minor losses to the edges of the wheel.  At some point, a well meaning antique dealer did refinish the box.  There are a series of original labels inside the lid of the box.   The mounting system for the instrument to the tripod is a simple line it up and twist with no threads to be found.   I have given you a series of pics, but if you need more or have questions simply ask.   Excellent .......$1295.00       SOLD!

 

 

Bausch & Lomb Light Mountain Transit  Bausch and Lomb had been in business for many years and  were well known in the optics business before they went into a business partnership with, first, George Saegmuller in 1905, and then Carl Zeiss in 1907 at which point they also began to produce Surveying instruments and transits and other engineering instruments.  They only manufactured surveying instruments up until the entry of the United States into the First World War in about 1917 when production stopped.   After the war,  production of these sorts lines was never resumed.  It seems there was better money making things for the military and that became their primary focus.

Everything on this small transit seems to be working nicely, and the optics are clear.  It has developed a nice rich even patina.  I believe this transit was made in 1908 from the chart that gives that information that I was able to find on the internet.  Given the short production span, and the limited number produced, instruments by these folks are pretty hard to come by.  This includes the proper and original collapsible tripod as well.   Top Notch!!   

Good+ ..... $995.00         SOLD!     

 

 

C. L. Berger & Sons Engineer's Transit  The serial # is 17,502, and this would date this surveyor's or engineer's transit / instrument from approx. 1930 or so.  The optics are clear, the crosshairs present, and the compass is functioning.  All other motions are free and operate as they should.  All level vials are full and appear to be original.  There are 2 small screws that hold the shroud over the vertical scale that are missing.  This instrument is currently housed a nicely done craftsman made box that fits it nicely. 

Below is a short history of this company that comes from the Smithsonian's well done site and pictures some of their collection.  The link to that site is http://americanhistory2.si.edu/surveying/maker.cfm

Good++ ............$495.00           SOLD!

 

Berger Christian Louis Berger (1842–1922) was born at Stuttgart, and was descended from men who made arms and armor for the royal family of Würtemberg. He apprenticed with Christian Saeger, a local maker of surveying instruments and analytical scales, and worked in other instrument shops in Germany and England. Moving to Boston in 1866, Berger worked for E. S. Ritchie & Son and then for John Upham. In 1871 he joined with George Louis Buff, and began trading as Buff & Berger. In 1898, after an acrimonious dispute over the roles that their sons would play in the business, Buff and Berger parted company. Berger acquired the assets of Buff & Berger, began trading as C. L. Berger & Sons, purchased a 30-inch dividing engine from William Würdemann, built a new factory in Roxbury, and continued to produce instruments for engineers and surveyors. Although C. L. Berger & Sons remained successful throughout the first half of the 20th century, they could not adjust to the electronic revolution that swept the instrument enterprise in the postwar period, or compete with inexpensive instruments from abroad. The Chicago Steel Tape Company purchased the remains of C. L. Berger & Sons in 1995.

              

 

Sala Transit w/ Burt Style Solar Attachment  This transit was made by one of the three famous West Coast Surveying Instrument Makers out of San Francisco During the 19th century.  These makers were William Albert Schmolz, John Roach, and Joseph Charles Sala.  Schmolz, whose working dates were from the mid 1850's until his death in 1891 was the person first responsible for patenting the idea to adapt the Burt Solar Apparatus to a transit and was granted a patent for this idea in 1867.  Gurley bought the rights to this idea, and introduced their version around 1874, agreeing to pay Schmolz $5.00 for each one they sold.  This agreement expired in 1884 when the patent became part of the public domain.  This instrument dates from some point after that, as Sala who was born in 1841 and at first apprenticed to Roach was listed first in San Francisco Directories as Roach's partner in the 1861 Directory took over the business upon Roach's death in 1891.  This instrument is #934 and was probably made just after the turn of the century.  Sala died in 1916. 

This instrument is in an amazing state of preservation.  The box is dovetailed, and has a later Lietz sticker in the top of the lid.  The compass face has a green finish and the points are nicely engraved.    There is a half vertical circle, and the vernier is silvered.  The solar attachment is clearly marked Sala, and is basically identical with the version put out by Gurley.  

SOLD!!

 

 

John Zeiser St Louis Transit  This transit was made by the little known and rare maker of surveying instruments who hailed from St Louis just after the turn of the 20th century.  He is not listed in Smarts or at the Smithsonian site, but there is a brief mention of his name as a maker on one site on the internet.  This example is a nicely done Light Mountain size with a 9 1/2 inch scope and half circle vernier.  The optics are clear and it has a simple cross for the crosshairs.  All motions turn freely and the vials are full.  The compass is functional as well.  It has developed a very nice patina and will display nicely.  The serial # is 550. The box seems correct, but the plate it rests on is plywood and may be a replacement.  All in all a nice looking instrument by an obscure and relatively rare maker.        

Good+ ..... SOLD!! 

 

Heller & Brightly Transit w/ Aux. Mining Scope Attachment  Transits set up to take an Auxiliary Scopes for either mining related work or other precise applications are a unusual configuration. This style of surveying instrument that was basically used in only one or two specific applications.  They were not widely distributed and thus quite hard to find.  With this example, the transit was made by Heller and Brightly of Phila. PA., and the scope is unmarked, but I have been told is a Lietz who were an established West Coast supplier, distributor, and manufacturer of quality optical equipment and surveying supplies.  It is a nice looking instrument.   

Good+ ..... SOLD!!   

 

 

B. L. Makepeace Loxo Combination Transit / Level This small combination Transit / Level was patented in 1912 and offered for sale after that. The Makepeace company is still in business and has an long and interesting history that began in the 1890's.  That info can be found at this link.  http://files.blmakepeace.com/History/history.htm  The company began in the blueprint and paper end of the business, expanded to offer a line of K & E products, and then just after the turn of the century Mr. Makepeace began offering his own line and design of surveying instruments including this style instrument.   

This combination level transit has seen little use and is in excellent condition.  The box is very nice, and the label inside the lid is very good as well.  The optics are clear, and the crosshairs present.  The level vial is full and all motions turn freely.  The bronzed lacquer finish is near flawless.   There is no tripod.   This instrument will make a nice addition to the collection to round out all the types and styles of instruments that were made and offered or would make for a good user around the property or building site.  It will display very nicely.

EXC. ........$250.00     SOLD!

 

 

Keuffel & Esser Engineers or Architects Survey Transit  This is a nice looking transit that dates from the 1920's according to the serial number found on the compass face.  There are earlier patent dates from the 1890's on the outer brass ring.  The 3 level bubbles are all clear and look original.  The optics are crisp and there is a single cross for crosshairs.  The scope measures approx 12" and the mounting ring for the tripod is about 3 5/8 ".   The overall condition of this transit is very nice, and it has aged to a nice 2 tone brownish brass patina that close to 100 years age provides.  It has the original box which someone has painted in the past (see pics). 

Architects or engineers style transits typically had 10-12" scopes.  The half vertical circle measures 4 1/2" and is graduated to 30 degrees or 1 minute to either side.  The compass face is 6" and the needle measures just over 4".   It is operable.  The vernier under the small windows is set up the same 30 degrees to either side.   All motions are pretty smooth and operate correctly.   This transit will display nicely, or would make a good user. 

RP-KE-1

Good+ ............$795.00    SOLD!

 

 

Dietzgen Light Mountain Size Engineering Transit   This small Transit is in good condition. The scope is 9" long and the vertical circle is 5" Dia. Dietzgen in all of their catalogs I have refer to all of their transits as being Engineering transits and offered them in 3 or 4 different sizes. This looks to be a #6024, and the serial # is 22930 dating it from 1936 or so. 

This is a nice compact instrument that from the finish on the box was once part of the military or forest service.  The finish is nice except for the one are on the tube where someone removed  the property of sticker that was once there.  The optics are crisp, and the cross hairs are a matrix like setup with several intersections of vertical horizontal, and diagonal lines.  It will display nicely, or after a calibration make a good user.     

Good+ ........ $495.00     SOLD!

 

 

Transit / Level   This small combination Transit / Level is in good condition. It is a precision but simple instrument that was offered for general layouts and lines by large concerns like Sears,  Montgomery Wards or other outfits that sold surveying instruments for general use.  This style of surveying instrument are sometimes referred to as Farm levels or transits.   This one is unmarked as to maker.  I would estimate it dates from the 40's or so.  As can be seen half of the box is present.  There is no tripod.   It will make for a good general user, or a nice display piece on the shelf.     

Good+ ........$SOLD!

 

 

Craftsman Transit / Level  This small combination Transit / Level is in good condition. It is a simple style of instrument that was offered for general layouts and lines by large concerns like Sears,  Montgomery Wards or other outfits that sold surveying instruments for general use.  It vhas a sticker identifying it as being sold by Sears.   I would estimate it dates from the 40's or so.   It will make for a good general user, or a nice display piece on the shelf.     

 

Good+ ........$75.00     SOLD!

   

 

From there you can navigate to all the different pages from the links in the left column

or

Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site