As dealers of American antique surveyor's
instruments and tools we deal in and sell many different types of antique surveying instruments
and related vintage accessories that a surveyor, architect, engineer,
or builder would use in his
trade.
I am
interested in many different forms of early survey instruments
ranging from surveyor's compasses like the one just below to the right, to instruments like Wye and
engineer's levels or farm levels
and dumpy levels. We are especially interested in more complex
antique surveying instruments such as mining related transits, Theodolites,
solar transits or solar compasses.
Surveying transits that have solar
attachments, or those with auxiliary scopes used for mining, or those
instruments that
have other unusual
patented or special use features were offered to perform specific jobs and
in general are more difficult to find.
If you have antique surveying instruments or
vintage surveyor's tools that are similar to those that you see pictured here on this page that you want
to
sell, please contact me at LCM@AntiqBuyer.com
with as many details as possible, including the size, the maker's name, or
any other important written information that is given.
Pictures
of the instrument would be a great help, and without them it is going to be difficult to
determine what you have. Just telling me
you have a Gurley, a Berger, or a David White, etc. and giving me the
serial number is not enough information. Asking me what is it worth would be like me asking
you what my car is worth, without me telling you anything
more about it then that it is a Toyota. In most cases it simply can not be done with so
little information. 
The list of
surveying instrument makers
is extensive, and
starts with such famous makers as Rittenhouse, who made instruments during
George Washington's time, to the more well known and prolific makers like W. E. Gurley,
Lietz, Buff, Berger, Heller & Brightly, Keuffel and Esser, Roach,
Sala, or Queen & Co. to name just a few.
There are numerous makers of surveying instruments that have normal given
names that were in business for varying periods of time in the 19th
century. The list of individual maker names is extensive and can not
really be given here but there is interest in many of these lesser known
makers as well.
In addition to the transits and surveying compasses that I have
pictured and discussed above, I am also interested in pieces like the convertible
level / transit shown here. This style o
f instrument could be set up
as either a standard level (as shown), or by using the pieces shown where the
instrument could be reinserted in it's stand, turned 90 degrees, and
be used as a
basic if not crude transit. These complex looking but relatively simple
survey devices were
mostly aimed at the more casual or less professional user or home builder and were
produced in large numbers, and do not command large sums of money but are
of interest nonetheless. I also buying Wye levels. Dumpy levels and Engineers
levels that look similar but are typically larger and longer than this
level pictured here.
Surveying Accessories
Another surveyor's tool that I am looking to buy are
called chains. Surveyor's chains are linked wire measuring devices
and came in various lengths from 33' to 100' and in
several configurations. The most commonly found examples are
either unmarked or English and marked Chesterman. Chains can also be found marked K & E or
Gurley, or by other American makers. Steel tapes on reels that were
used by surveying parties in the recent past are also referred to as
chains but in general are not nearly as collectible or in demand..
I am also interested in early
tripods or staffs that came with most surveying instruments.
I am interested in other precision tools and accessories
that a surveyor or related trades would use on the
job or in the office. I have mentioned many of
these on other pages
of this site, but the list would include planimeters, anemometers, early drafting
sets in fitted wooden boxes, alidades, plane tables, etc.
Some other surveying related tools would
also include unusual plumb bobs like the one pictured
here by Dietzgen that has an internal reel or string winder. Other
unusual models have external wheels, or cranks, while those used for
mining, called plummets, have a lighting feature so that they could be
sighted in on at the end of a shaft or tunnel. Please contact me
with any unusual specimens that are for sale.
