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Berger
Transit w/ Aux. Mining Scope Attachment This
was the third surveying instrument I bought that has a provision for taking
an auxiliary scope mounting 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, allowing the
user to shoot staight down past the plate.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 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.
Good . . . . . $2475.00 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
Knox
& Shain Surveyors / Engineers Transit The partnership of Knox
and Shain was begun in the 1850's. The Smithsonian sight says they opened
their shop in 1850, while the bio on them in Smarts says they were first listed
together in the Philadelphia directories in 1855. The serial # on the compass
face is 900. It is not known if this number reflects the date from the beginning
of this partnership, or from the time Knox left the employ of Young and opened his
own shop some years earlier. This transit though has the look and fell of
an instrument that dates from the 1860's to 1880's. The Smithsonian
site mentions that Knox & Shain instruments look similar to Young's transits because
both partners worked for him in the past. The information there goes on to
say they bought the dividing engine of Jesse Ramsden, an early English maker of
surveying and other scientific instruments. . This surveyor's transit is in good condition. It stands just about 11" tall to the top of the 5" vertical circle which reads to 30 degrees. This transit is from an era when the leveling base remained with the tripod, which we do not have. There is no place for it in the box. which is OK. The box is dirty and has been re-glued where it split at some point in the past but has a great look and a lot of character.
The compass is a gold finish and works properly. The needle is 5" and the transit measures approx 7" across. The silvered horizontal vernier is inside under the glass and operates as it should. All other knobs and motions are free as well. All three level bubbles are full and appear to be original. The optics are clear, and it focuses well, but there do not seem to be any cross hairs if there ever were any.
This Knox & Shain is a very early transit, by a relatively rare and obscure maker from Philadelphia one of the hubs of early technology manufacturing in America. This transit will make for a great showpiece on display in the collection or any other setting.
PA-KNSH-T1
Good+ . . . . . . . $650.00
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.
Good . . . . . $1750.00 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.
Good . . . . . $1275.00 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.
Good . . . . . $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.
Good . . . . . $995.00 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.
Good . . . . . $495.00 SOLD
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
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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.
Good . . . . . $3750.00 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 . . . . . $750.00 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 . . . . . $875.00 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. 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.
Good . . . . . $250.00 SOLD
Negretti & Zambra Transit /
Theodolite
Negretti & Zambra was an English outfit whose origins dates back
into the mid 19th century. This transit / theodolite has an interesting form
with its half circle beneath the scope.
The leather covered mahogany box looks really nice. The box still has nearly all of its original finish. This instrument was dropped or handled badly at one point, as I had to re-glue nearly all of the different pieces inside, and repair a crack in the top where the base was trying to break through as it was banged around. It looks great now. The theodolite breaks down, and the different parts are fitted throughout the box as can be seen in the last photos. There is a bit of damage to two pieces from when it was shipped. The small aux magnifier lens, for the vernier, is cracked. Also a piece of the spring loaded fine adjust beneath the plate broke off at its attachment point when this was banging around in the box. The rest is fine, looks great and will display well..
The crosshairs are present, and the image is inverted. There is a stamp on the side of the scope indicating that this was made for a firm in Lima Peru. The serial number is in the 2000 range, but I could find no info that would allow for dating it. It has a 3 point leveling system, and it has the tripod mounting plate which is set up to fit in the box and has a quick release feature. an interesting design that will look fine as part of the display.
WYM-NZ-1
Good+ . . . . . . $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
Bostrom #4 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 This one is unmarked as to maker but is a Bostrom. 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 . . . . . $95.00 SSOLD
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 has 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
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 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.
This website is Copyrighted
(1998 -
2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker