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Meeker's
Mechanical Nature Antiques |
Larry and Carole Meeker Purveyors of Americana Patented & Mechanical Antiques |
www.Patented-Antiques.com LCM@Patented-Antiques.com 530-620-7019 |
Antique & Vintage
Surveying Compasses
Plain / Vernier / Railroad / Telescopic / Solar / Etc.
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WF-CASE-HOBBY
Fine . . . . . . . $1795.00
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CASS-ATTWOOD
Fine . . . . . . . $495.00 SOLD!
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MB-GC-1
Good + . . . . . . $2295.00
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W.
& L. E Gurley Single Vernier Compass This
Gurley single vernier compass is an early example of the W. & L. E.
Gurley companies work. This company was formed in the 1850's and became the
leading maker of surveying instruments in the USA. The Troy NY location
is at the top above the North Fleur d' Lei which means it dates from the
1880 or before. It is hand engraved as well. The needle is 5" and
swings freely and locks as it should.
The box is nice with some
minor rubs and chips at the edges. There are two labels inside the top.
The previous owner carved his name and location in SC in the box lid.
A Google search did not turn up any info on the owner, but he may have played
a part in dividing up the state during the period just after the Civil War.
One of the sight vane screws is a mix - match, but it the proper thread.
If I did not mention it it would not be noticed. One of the sight vanes
is edge graduated to allow for elevation sightings. There are small
peep sights attached as well The compass needs
some minor restoration. On the top of the compass the vernier lock
screw needs attention, and the vernier adjuster across from it needs to be attached
w/ 2 small screws which are not present. The gears look OK, and the compass
body moves freely as it should, just the small screws
are missing to hold the adjuster. The keeper or counter works and the needle lock and needle
do as well. It appears one level vial has been replaced w/ later lined
version.
All in all a nice example of a hard to find and early
surveyors railroad compass. It will display very nicely in or out of the
box and has a great patina and graphic look to it. In the past I have had and
seen this model offered for far more and the price reflects the minor restoration
that could be done
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DE-GRC-RRCOMP
Good + . . . . . . $1095.00
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W. & L. E Gurley Vernier Compass
w/ 6' Needle This Gurley single vernier
compass is an early example of the Gurley firms work. The Troy NY location is
at the top above the North Fleur d' Lei and dates this compass from pre 1880.
Gurley did not use serial numbers on their early instruments and it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint
the exact year of manufacture. This compass could date from the Civil
War era from its attributes.
The compass face is silvered and hand
engraved. The needle is 6" making this the largest size compass Gurley
offered. The needle swings freely and locks as it should. The Brass
cover is present and nice. Some minor restoration works need to be done
to return this piece to its full glory. The Vernier adjuster & lock is
missing from the left side. This would consist of a threaded rod running
through a ball nut that would occupy the two holes on the left side above the
vernier scale just outside the compass. On the right side there is a missing
level vial. These would be easy fixes and I can arrange to have this done
for you, or it will display just fine as is.
The box is nice with
some minor rubs and chips at the edges. The original owner has scratched his
name into the top of the box. It is not objectionable.
A Google search did not turn up any info on the owner, but he may have played
a part in dividing up the state just after the Civil War from what the consignor
has said. There is the remains of a label inside the top, but it has no
legible writing on it. Inside the box is the socket joint that would have
been used to mount this to a staff or tripod. The sight vanes are proper
and nice, and are edge marked.
All in all a
nice example of a hard to find early Gurley surveyors compass. It will
display very nicely in or out of the box and has a great patina and graphic
look to it. I have seen this model compass offered for far more
and the price reflects the minor restoration that could be done
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DE-GRC-COMP
Good + . . . . . . $1095.00
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W. & L. E Gurley
Surveyor's Plain Compass
w/ 6' Needle Gurley offered the
plain compass for general survey work. There is a single vernier scale
under the glass to mark off or read angles. The Troy NY location is
at the bottom below the South point and dates this compass from pre 1880.
There is not serial # and Gurley did not use serial numbers on their early instruments
prior to 1908. It is sometimes difficult to pinpoint
the exact year of manufacture although the features and the label in the lid
can be an indication of the general time period.
The needle
is 6" making this the largest size compass Gurley offered. The needle
swings freely and locks as it should. The sight vanes are present. The compass face is silvered
and there is some spotting with one stained area at approx 2 o'clock that was
cleaned to a point of some of the silver coating is worn through
there. The two level vials are full and OK.
The boxes exterior
was refinished at some point. On the left side there is a long sliver
of wood missing from the box. I have pictured this. There is a label inside the top that pictures the
Gurley office building. There is a site that has a series of these
labels pictured and assigns dates to them from when they appeared
in different year catalogs. The socket / knuckle joint that would
be used to mount this to a staff or tripod is present. The sight vanes are proper,
nice, and are edge marked. The swinging peep sights are present.
The mounting screws for the sight vanes are replacements as can be seen in one of the pics.
The missing sight vane screws could be remade and the compass face
re-silvered to make it even nicer, or this compass will display very nicely
in or out of the box just as it sits.
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SK-GPC-1
Good + . . . . . . $895.00
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Small French Pocket Vernier Compass
w/ 4' Needle This small and simply
constructed single vernier
compass is marked France. This example is a couple sizes larger than
the smaller size typically seen. These can often be seen offered in
American tool and surveying catalogs as a second line of instruments for use
in the field. This example is in need of some restoration. The
glass is missing over the compass face, and the box needs to be rebuilt as
it is missing several side walls to the top.
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DE-FNCH-COMP
Good - . . . . . . $125.00
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K
& E #5293 Miners Compass / Dipping Compass
This dip compass is NOS and has just minor loss to the finish along the edges.
These were used as locators for all things magnetic, from pipes to ore.
There was a period when they dressed them up a bit put handles on them, and
told the American public that they could find their riches using the one
they offered.
LCM-DIP
Excellent. . . . . $95.00
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Now
K
& E Miners Compass / Dip Compass
The body of this one is made of Aluminum. It is the same idea as
the other K & E compasses listed above.
SAZ-DIP
Good + . . . . $55.00
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Now
Darley Miners Compass / Dip
Needle w/ Extendable Handle & Case
Same as above, but with a handle.
AMN-DIP
Good + . . . . $55.00
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Now
K
& E / Keuffel & Esser #5332 Surveying Compass
Compasses this size and style were for use in the field for rough or preliminary work. They
are often referred to as a Foresters compass as well. It has its knuckle
joint for use with a staff, and comes in its original fitted box. Some can
be found in leather cases. The needle is approx 3" and the level vials
under the glass are good. Nice
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SAZ-KE5332
Excellent. . . . . $175.00
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Now
K
& E / Keuffel & Esser #5334 Surveying Compass w/ Box & Socket
This one is a bit larger than the one above and its needle is approx 4".
The level vials under the
glass are good. The black finish is in very nice condition. The
needle swings freely. Compasses this size were for use in the field for rough or
preliminary work. They are often referred to as a Foresters compass as well. It
has its knuckle joint for use with a staff, and comes in its original fitted
box. Nice
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SCBRG-KE5334-2
Excellent. . . . . $145.00
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Now
Brunton Compass
/ Riverton Wyoming
This style of compass has been in production for a
number of years. It was so popular that they have begun to make repops of
it in brass marked different ways. There is a website that has a page
devoted to this sort of fake, and others that have appeared on the market.
This is a real one.
It is a later model, but real.
The housing is made of a composite of some sort. It is in like new
condition but the leather case as seen has seen some days in the field. Nice
SAZ-BRUNTCOMP
Excellent. . . . . $125.00
We can help you sell your quality Antiques in this and other categories of Antiques.
If you have similar antiques or collectibles you want to sell please see our
FAQ Page, the
Appraisal / Selling Page, and the
Selling
Your Collection Pages for further info about
selling with us.
To view examples of the types of antiques and collectibles we have previously
sold and are always interested in helping you sell please visit our
Past
Sales Archive Pages at our sister website
www.AntiqBuyer.com.
Here is a link to a site that can help you date your Transit / Level or other Instrument if you are looking for that info.
http://www.surveyhistory.org/how_old_is_my_instrument.htm