Meeker's www.patented-antiques.com Gurley antique transits past sales archive

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W. L. & E. Gurley #100 Reconnaissance Transit   This transit was offered by Gurley and was designed to be carried into the field where weight and bulk were primary considerations. The instrument with the leather covered box and smaller than usual tripod could be more easily carried in the field.    This particular instrument also came equipped with the seldom seen Beaman Stadia Arc which was designed first in 1904 and issued a patent in 1906. It was offered by Gurley as an accessory that could be attached to the vertical circle of instruments to help simplify and speed up the figuring of elevations and other Stadia related work. This instrument dates from very close to this date, and like many Gurley instruments carries no serial # thus making exact dating a task at times.

There is a very nice and informative site on the Internet called The Virtual Museum of Survey History than has dating charts for many of the major makers of surveying instruments if you need help determining the age of an instrument that you have.

All motions on this transit move freely and the compass operation is flawless. The silvered compass face is in excellent condition as well.   The leveling bubbles are all good. The overall finish, a bronzed or green lacquer has some chips and scrapes but in general looks good and is original.

W. L. & E. Gurley of Troy New York was the dominant force in the manufacture and distribution of quality surveying instruments from the time of their inception in the mid 1800's thru today. Their name has always been associated with top of the line quality throughout their history, and the instruments they manufactured to help build America are second to none. This size transit is not seen often and is offered for sale even less often. Be sure to take a look at all the pictures, including the ones of the leather covered box. The box itself is nice, but the top leather portion has become detached and is missing. What remains is nice, but has several sewn seams that are coming undone.   A nice instrument that will display nicely or be a great addition to the collection.

Good + . . . . . $950.00 SOLD

W. L. & E. Gurley #100 Reconnaissance Transit Here is another similar to the one above in a different finish. There is no serial # so it dates prior to 1908. This size transit was offered by Gurley to be carried into the field where weight and bulk were primary considerations. The box is nice, and overall it is in excellent condition. A nice instrument that will display nicely or be a great addition to the collection.

Good + . . . . . $1050.00 SOLD

W. & L. E Gurley #28 Light Mountain Transit This transit is in very nice condition and dates from 1913 as evidenced by the serial number on the face of the engraved compass. Dating Gurley instruments can sometimes be a challenge as they did not always have serial #s as a guide. Often times the vintage of a piece has to be determined by minor changes in construction or design features, or from something as innocuous as the picture of the factory that was often included in the box which was changed over the years as the company grew and prospered. Also determining the exact model # can be challenging as well as such small differences as the configuration of the vertical Vernier, or scale could change the number. This transit looks like a #27 also and could well be one. There is a very nice and informative site on the Internet called The Virtual Museum of Survey History than has dating charts for many of the major makers of surveying instruments if you need help determining the age of an instrument that you have.

W. L. & E. Gurley of Troy New York was the dominant force in the manufacture and distribution of quality surveying instruments from the time of their inception in the mid 1800's thru today. Their name has always been associated with top of the line quality throughout their history, and the instruments they manufactured to help build America are second to none.

All motions on this transit move freely and the compass operation is flawless. The silvered compass face is in excellent condition as well. The leveling bubbles are all good. The overall finish has a nice even patina and there are no major detractions or problems with the condition of the super piece.

Note: the plumb bob at the base, it is one of the unusual internal reel models and is being sold separately and is not included. Be sure to take a look at all the pictures, including the one of the leather covered box that this size instrument and the smaller Explorer model came in as they were meant to be carried into the field. It is nice, but has several sewn seams that are coming undone. A nice instrument that will display nicely or be a great addition to the collection.

Good . . . . . $950.00 SOLD

W. & L. E Gurley #12 Engineers Transit This large transit is in very nice original condition and dates from before the turn of the century or as far as I can determine. This simple model was offered by Gurley and has no vertical circle or even a means to lock the scope in place. Note that there is no long level under the scope as one would expect, and this is proper for the #12. According to the catalogs I have this is proper, but they give no explanation or rational for this or where or when such a set-up would be used.

Gurley has been in the surveying instrument business since the mid 1800's and unlike many other scientific instrument makers, they only sporadically used serial #'s as a means to date or record the manufacture of their instruments. The scope on this instrument is 11.5 inches long, and the needle on the compass is over 5". There is a very nice and informative site on the Internet called The Virtual Museum of Survey History than has dating charts for many of the major makers of surveying instruments, as well as a wealth of other information if you need help determining the age of or history of an instrument that you have.

Good . . . . . $795.00 SOLD

W. & L. E Gurley #76 Surveyor's / Architects Transit This large Surveyor's transit is in very nice original condition and dates from near the turn of the century or before as far as I can determine. Gurley has been in the surveying instrument business since the mid 1800's and unlike many other scientific instrument makers, they never, or only sporadically used serial #'s as a means to date or record the manufacture of their instruments. The scope on this instrument is 11.5 inches long, and the needle on the compass is over 5". The serial number on the face of the silvered & engraved compass is 9662. Dating Gurley instruments can sometimes be a challenge as they did not always have serial #s as a guide, and if not from after 1908 then the serial # is not able to be matched exactly to a given date. After 1908 the first two digits were typically the year of manufacture, but this is not the case with a serial # from before then.. Often times the vintage of a piece has to be determined by minor changes in construction or design features, or from something as innocuous as the picture of the factory that was often included in the box which was changed over the years as the company grew and prospered.

Even determining the exact model # can be a challenge as such small differences as the configuration of the vertical Vernier, or scale could change the model number of the transit. This transit looks like a #76 in the illustrations of the catalog I am looking in, but could be some other designation. Because of its size and design though, there is no doubt that is the designation of a Architects transit given it has no vertical circle. The optics are clear, crosshairs present, and the motions are all free The box is nice as well but as is typical shows some signs of use and age.

There is a very nice and informative site on the Internet called The Virtual Museum of Survey History than has dating charts for many of the major makers of surveying instruments, as well as a wealth of other information if you need help determining the age of or history of an instrument that you have.

Good . . . . . $1150.00 SOLD

W. & L. E Gurley #16 Surveyor's / Engineers Transit This large Engineers transit is in good original condition. It has developed a rich dark patina. It is very similar the one pictured above with the addition of a half vertical circle. Gurley has been in the surveying instrument business since the mid 1800's and unlike many other scientific instrument makers they only sporadically used serial #'s as a means to date or record the manufacture of their instruments. The scope on this instrument is 11.5 inches long, and the needle on the compass is 5". Often times the vintage of a piece has to be determined by minor changes in construction or design features, or from something as innocuous as the picture of the factory that was often included in the box which was changed over the years as the company grew and prospered. Even determining the exact model # can be a challenge as such small differences as the configuration of the vertical Vernier, or scale could change the model number of the transit. This transit looks like a #16 in the illustrations of the catalog I am looking in, but could be some other designation. Because of its size and design though, there is no doubt that is the designation of a Engineers transit given the vertical circle. The optics are clear, crosshairs present, and the motions are all free but a bit stiff The box is OK but as is typical shows signs of use and age.

Good . . . . . $1050.00 SOLD

W. & L. E Gurley Surveyor's Transit This large surveying transit is in very nice original condition and dates from before the turn of the century, and is somewhat earlier than the model above. It has many of the same features as the one above, and I believe they would be the same model number, just from a different era. The most noticeable differences between the two are the configuration of the standards, this one having the earlier straight A frame, and the fact that the bottom leveling base is detachable and stores separately in the box unlike later models where it is all one unit. I do not know the exact time frame for these different changes, but they are indicative of an earlier instrument that probably dates from the 1880's or perhaps a bit earlier. The optics are clear, crosshairs present, and the motions are all free The box is nice as well but as is typical shows some signs of use and age.

Good . . . . . $850.00 SOLD

Gurley Engineers Transit The needle is 4" long and the scope is 8 3/4" long. Overall the transit is approx. 12" tall. This transit was cleaned and buffed a few years ago, and is beginning to mellow back to a less shiny state. There is a small plaque attached that says that this was once #11 of the Tenn. Highway Dept. I would guess that it dates from the early part of the last century. It comes in its original wood dovetailed box, that someone has added newer hook type hasps to as the key is gone. The tripod was refinished as well and looks great. This super looking piece displays very nicely, and will look great set up in the office or den.

Good . . . . . $850.00 SOLD

W. & L. E. Gurley Surveyor's Transit This compact little Gurley transit is by the best known and most renowned maker of surveying instruments that ever produced instruments in America. The level bubbles / vials are all good, the compass needles swings freely as it should. It seems to be fully functional, and the main detraction is the lack of finish on the aluminum protective shroud covering the vertical Vernier on the side. It is a later instrument from those above, as evidenced by the style and finish, and probably dates from after WWII. It is in as found condition and has not been cleaned or adjusted. The Mahogany box has been repaired ( as can be seen in the pics) but looks OK. It will make a nice display piece, or a good user, but I have not used it myself or tested it.

Good . . . . . $395.00 SOLD

W& L. E. Gurley Mountain & Mining Transit w/ Burt Solar Attachment This form of surveying instrument, a transit equipped with a factory Solar Attachment or auxiliary mining scope is one of the most desirable and sought after of all surveying related devices ever offered. The idea was that in certain areas the magnetic deviation was so great and the errors it could cause so great that these unusual and significant devices were developed as a way to compensate for this effect, and enabled the user to find a true reference or location using the horizon and the position of the sun instead of the standard methods employing just the compass. Even though the concept has been around for many years very few of them were actually made for use in the field. Each major company that made surveying instruments had a version of their transit that came equipped with one form or another of these devices. The two best known names in this field were Gurley and Keuffel & Esser, but Berger, Buff, Dietzgen and others offered them as well for their instruments. Different attachments were known by the name of the inventor, and the versions designed and developed by Saegmuller, Smith, & Burt being the best know attachments. This instrument is in very nice overall condition and dates from the early part of the last century. The serial number on it indicates the date of manufacture as being 1913. It has never been cleaned and the brass has a wonderful mellow patina. Gurley was located in Troy New York at this time, and their reputation for the manufacture of quality instruments was unsurpassed. The box and leather covering are nice as well noting some of the sewn seams coming undone and the small straps showing wear. This Solar Transit is surely one of the most striking and graphic of forms of surveying instrument that are available not to mention one of the most avidly sought. Rarely seen or offered for sale one of these instruments will move your collection to the head of the line.

Good . . . . . $2850.00 SOLD

W& L. E. Gurley Mountain & Mining Solar Transit w/o Attachment This Gurley light mountain transit is designed to accept a Burt Solar Attachment and has the mounting post for the solar attachment, but it is long gone. The box and leather covering are nice. This Solar Transit is surely one of the most striking and graphic of forms of surveying instrument that are available not to mention one of the most avidly sought. Rarely seen or offered for sale one of these instruments will move your collection to the head of the line if you have the missing piece. .

Good . . . . . $1250.00 SOLD

W. & L. E. Gurley #100 Reconnaissance Transit This Gurley #100 Recon transit was designed to be carried into the field where weight and bulk were primary considerations. It stands approx 10" tall to the top of the full circle vernier and has a 9" long scope. It weighs about 7 lbs as opposed the #28 Light mountains 13 lbs and the differences in scale & weight are evident when set next to each other. The 2 3/4" tripod size is also smaller than the light mountain transit uses. The optics are good, and there is one vertical and 3 horizontal crosshairs.

This transit would date approx from the last quarter of the 1800's to before 1908 and like many Gurley instruments carries no serial # thus making exact dating a task at times. Gurley did not begin to use serial #'s until 1908. There is a very nice and informative site on the Internet called The Virtual Museum of Survey History than has dating charts for many of the major makers of surveying instruments if you need help determining the age of an instrument that you have.

All motions move freely and the compass operation is OK. The silvered compass face is nice as well with the name and location above the North Fleur d' Leis. The leveling bubbles are all good. The overall finish of natural brass looks good and is original with a nice rich patina.

W. L. & E. Gurley of Troy New York was the dominant force in the manufacture and distribution of quality surveying instruments from the time of their inception in the mid 1800's thru today. Their name has always been associated with top of the line quality throughout their history, and the instruments they manufactured to help build America are second to none. This size transit is not seen often and is offered for sale even less often. Be sure to take a look at all the pictures, including the ones of the box. A nice instrument that will display nicely or be a great addition to the collection.

Good+ . . . . . . $795.00 SSOLD!

W& L. E. Gurley #17 Engineers Surveying Transit w/ Burt Solar Attachment This is a Gurley engineers solar transit equipped with a factory and properly marked Burt Patent Solar Attachment. Solar transits are one of the most desirable and sought after of all surveying instruments to be found. They are graphic, historically important, rare, and represent an important aspect of surveying history.

This example is a #17 Engineers transit with a 11" scope and has a large and commanding presence that will make for a great display piece. It has a 5" needle, and a 6" half vernier circle that reads to 20 degrees. It weighs close to 18 lbs or almost twice what a similar looking but smaller light mountain or recon transit would weigh. The picture below on the right gives you an idea of just how large and commanding this transit is compared to a recon size Gurley. The optional / auxiliary side mount level is present as well. The adjusting tool is also stored in the box.

This instrument is in very nice overall condition and dates from the early part of the last century. There is no serial number and so predates 1908 when Gurley started to use them. It has never been cleaned and the brass has a wonderful mellow patina. The box is nice as well noting just some scuffing on the exterior. All motions and the screw are

free. The compass works, and the silvered compass face is very nice.

The idea behind solar instruments, either transits or compasses, was that in certain areas the magnetic deviation was so great, and the errors it could cause so great, that these unusual and significant devices were developed as a way to compensate for this effect. The Burt Solar attachment was first Patented in the 1830's to be used on solar compasses. Gurley later bought the rights and offered this style with their instruments. . A solar instrument enabled the user to find a true reference or location using the horizon and the position of the sun instead of the standard method employing the compass. Even though the concept had been around and employed in seafaring navigation for centuries, very few of them were actually made for use in the field w/ transits or compasses. They are very rare.

Each major surveying instrument maker made a transit that came equipped with one form or another of these devices. The best known names in the surveying instrument field were Gurley and Keuffel & Esser, but Berger, Buff, Dietzgen, Lietz, Sala, and others offered versions of a solar transit. Different attachments are typically known by the name of the inventor, and the examples designed and developed by Saegmuller, Smith, & Burt being the best known solar attachments. The Saegmuller and the Smith utilized secondary small scopes, while the Burt design more closely resembled a octant or sextant in design and used a peep site.

Gurley was located in Troy New York at this time, and their reputation for the manufacture of quality instruments was unsurpassed. This Solar Transit is surely one of the most striking and graphic of forms of surveying instrument that are available not to mention one of the most avidly sought by collectors. Rarely seen or offered for sale in this large size, this transit is the piece that will move your collection to the head of the line. A super piece.

Good+ . . . . . . $2975.00 SSOLD!

W. & L. E. Gurley Surveyors Transit This large and early W & L. E. Gurley Surveyors transit has straight A frame standards which would indicate it dates from the 1880s or before. The finish, a bronzed or green lacquer is original and 95% or better. It looks great contrasting with the bright brass knobs and thumbscrews. This instrument had been in the same family for over 4 generations and the overall original condition is exceptional. The dovetailed mahogany box is nice as well.

This early transit has an 11" Scope and a 5" compass needle making it one of the larger transits Gurley offered. They also came with 4 and 6" needles. The optics are perfect, and the crosshairs are present with 3 horizontal and one vertical. The 3 different leveling bubbles are all good with original blue fluid. All motions on this transit move freely and the compass operation is flawless. The silvered compass face is in excellent condition and the engraving is crisp and bold. The Troy NY location is at the bottom of the compass which is another indication of the early manufacture. This transit has an unusually small 3" vertical circle that must have been special ordered. Typically you see larger vernier circles on instruments this large. It gives it a nice look. Note that the tangent screws are not spring loaded and are on top of the plate.. This is another indication of its early manufacture.

Exact dating of earlier Gurley instruments can be difficult. Gurley did not use serial numbers until after 1908. There is a very nice and informative site on the Internet called The Virtual Museum of Survey History than has dating charts for many of the major makers of surveying instruments. If you need help determining the age of an instrument that you have that is the place to go. They go into quite a bit of detail trying to help date Gurley transits, but it is an inexact science at best.

W. L. & E. Gurley of Troy New York was the dominant force in the manufacture and distribution of quality surveying instruments from the time of their inception in the mid 1800's. Their name was always been associated with top of the line quality products and the surveying related instruments they manufactured to help build America are second to none. Be sure to take a look at all the pictures to get a sense of the exceptional condition this instrument is in. A nice instrument that is a piece of American history, and will display nicely or be a great addition to the growing collection.

Fine . . . . . . . $1095.00 SOLD!

W. & L. E. Gurley Surveyors Transit This early Gurley A frame standard transit is in very nice original condition. It has a 4" needle and would be the smallest size transit Gurley offered at this time. They also came with 5 and 6 " needles. As can be seen from the 2 labels in the lid of the box it hails from Little Falls NY which is close to the home base of Gurley in Troy NY.

The compass face is not marked Gurley but it is obviously a Gurley instrument. It is hand engraved, and has a SS and #3 stamped under the compass needle rosette. I have been told those initials are those of Seneca Stephens a Gurley master instrument maker in Gurley's employ. The #3 could be an indicator that this instrument was made in 1873 when considered with the other early features this transit exhibits. I am not sure why Gurley did not mark it with their name before leaving the factory. Other features indicating its early manufacture are the fact that the tangent lock is found atop of the plate, and is not spring loaded. The straight A frame standards confirms this as does the style of the box, and the fact that tripod mount / leveling base is removable and stored separately in the box.

The optics are OK, but some of the spider web crosshairs have some loose and small strands besides the main crosshairs can be seen when sighting it. All the motions are free, and all bubbles with original colored fluid are good. It has a full circle silvered vertical vernier and the horizontal limb has two viewing windows for the vernier there.

The compass needle is 4", and the compass face measures about 5". making the the smallest standard size transit Gurley offered at this time. It has a smaller than typical tripod mount with the center male threaded portion being 1 1/4 and the outer ring measuring 2 3/4". The box is OK The leather strap is broken. The fixed leg tripod, which is included in the price, is OK but appears to have a replaced leg, and another one of the thin legs is wrapped in old black friction tape. It might be a repair, or there as an ID marker. I did not remove it to see.

A very nice looking and hard to find early Gurley transit in original finish and patina that will display very nicely.

Good+ . . . . . . . $995.00 / w Tripod SOLD!

W. & L. E. Gurley #30 Light Mountain Transit Equipped w/ Burt Solar Attachment & #161Top Mount Auxiliary Mining Scope This Gurley Light Mountain Transit is set up to be used as either a Solar Transit or Mining transit. It is in like new, hardly ever used condition. It is obvious that this instrument was not carried into or used in the the field. The finish on the box, and the condition of the outer leather carrying case are the nicest I have ever seen. The bronzed finish on the instrument itself, the scopes and other pieces is near flawless with just minor losses to high points and edges.

The serial number is 12987 which would date it from 1912. The original purchaser ordered bells and whistles for this transit that are rarely seen on one transit and make it a very rare and unusual instrument. The upper tangent lock plate is marked with the name Richard Marsh who I assume was the original purchaser. A Google search for that name turned up no historical info but references to several other people currently associated with surveying . A relative perhaps? Inside the top of the box is a tag with the name Victor M. Vang of Idaho who was associated with the Merger Mines also in that state. Google found several references to him.

In addition to the Burt Solar Attachment & #161 Auxiliary Mining Scope this transit is also equipped with a 4" full circle vertical vernier. It

is protected buy the special order Aluminum cover illustrated in Gurley catalogs from the era.. The compass needle is 4" and operates properly. The silvered face of the compass is near perfect. All level vials are full and original although the small one under the standard is in a different finish for some reason . The opaque sun shields are present nice. The brass plumb bob is marked K & E.

The vernier on the main plate is tight from near 100 years of sitting, but all other motions are free and operate properly. The auxiliary mining scope attaches by means of two coupling nuts designed to mount it over, and precisely in line w/ the scope below. The Burt solar attachment is complete, and marked with the Gurley name as well. The auxiliary level that mounts to the left side of the main frame is present, and also has a fitted place in the box to mount. There is also another auxiliary striding level with a fitted place in the box for use when setting up the instrument. The optics are good and the crosshairs in the main scope are 3 horizontal and one vertical. The crosshairs in the mining scope are a simple cross.

The extendable leg tripod looks like new with the brass fittings still retaining their bright shine and protective lacquer coating. I have provided numerous pics of both the transit and the tripod, so please be sure to look over all of them

This unusual form Gurley transit and accessories are a rare variation. With its original finish and patina this instrument will display very nicely and be the highlight of any instrument collection related to surveying and or mining. A super piece in super condition. Highly Recommended!!

Fine + . . . . . . . $4795.00 SOLD!

Gurley Alidade This Gurley Alidade is in like new condition. From the serial #573195 and using the dating chart I have provided a link to elsewhere on this page we can deduce it was made in 1957 and was the 3,195th instrument produced that year. It is a very nice, complete and dressed out example. The right angle eyepiece is present, there is a sun shade, the striding level is here and nice, as well as a loop and dust cover. This alidade is also outfitted with the Beaman Stadia Arc an accessory that was first patented and offered near the turn of the century for use on either alidades or transits to make stadia calculations easier to compute or figure. It will make for a great user for mapping, road layout, etc. or or it will be a nice addition to the collection.

I also have the large (24" x 31" Gurley Plane table w/ canvas cover and the proper or matching Johnson head tripod to make this a complete outfit. They will be found listed separately on the tripod page.

Excellent . . . . . . . $495.00 SOLD!

BACK

This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We can help you sell quality Surveying Related Antiques Contact Us.

For further info on consigning / selling your antiques with us please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages.

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

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(1998 - 2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker