surveyor's compass
Datecirca 1850
Inventory Number5192a
ClassificationSurveyor's Compass
Subject
Maker
Benjamin Pike, Jr.
1809 - 1864
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionswithout sights: 6.1 × 37.4 × 14.7 cm (2 3/8 × 14 3/4 × 5 13/16 in.)
case without object in it: 5.1 × 38.9 × 18.7 cm (2 × 15 5/16 × 7 3/8 in.)
case without object in it: 5.1 × 38.9 × 18.7 cm (2 × 15 5/16 × 7 3/8 in.)
Material
Accessoriescarrying case
Bibliography
DescriptionAll brass instrument with two removable sighting vanes. Both have a narrow slit and four circular apertures. There are two bubble levels, one on each arm positioned at a right angle and forming a "T", to level in both axes of the horizontal plane.
The silver dial's face has eight cardinal points, with a fleur-de-lys for identifying North. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-90°-0-90°), divided in half degrees and marked to every ten. The glass cover of the compass is missing. The instrument is supported by a ball-and-socket joint and a tripod.
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a wooden box, the top of which is missing.
The silver dial's face has eight cardinal points, with a fleur-de-lys for identifying North. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-90°-0-90°), divided in half degrees and marked to every ten. The glass cover of the compass is missing. The instrument is supported by a ball-and-socket joint and a tripod.
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a wooden box, the top of which is missing.
Signedon dial, engraved: Benj. Pike Jr. / 294 Broadway / New York
FunctionThe surveyor's compass is an instrument used in surveying (or in navigation in rare cases) to measure horizontal angles, what is called bearing or azimuth.
For a nice discussion of this intrument, see the following website.
For a nice discussion of this intrument, see the following website.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Lee Freedman, Brookline, Massachusetts, September 6, 1967. Donated to CHSI February 2, 1977.
E. & G. W. Blunt
Date: 1844-1857
Accessories: handwritten tables and charts; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
Object number: 5187
William J. Young
Date: 1820-1840
Accessories: ball-and-socket joint; carrying case
Object number: 5189
H. M. Pool & Brothers
Date: 1853-1858
Accessories: belt grip; dial cover plate; lifter arm; carrying case
Object number: 5188
Samuel Thaxter & Son
Date: 1822-1831
Accessories: protective cushioned cloth; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
Object number: 5180
J. Pool & Company
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5200
Alexander Megarey
Date: circa 1840
Accessories: cover plate for compass dial; plumb bob; ball and socket tripod (2005-1-0002), carrying case
Object number: 5199
Chamberlain & Ritchie
Date: 1850-1854
Accessories: carrying case; tripod (5129b)
Object number: 5129a
William J. Young
Date: 1840-1855
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5190
H. M. Pool & Brothers
Date: circa 1845
Accessories: tripod (5197b)
Object number: 5197a
Charles Gedney King
Date: circa 1840
Accessories: tripod (5198b)
Object number: 5198a
Charles Pool
Date: 1820-1835
Accessories: carrying case; ball-and-socket joint; extra needle; plumb bob; glass vial; brass plates
Object number: 5194
See also/See also
