transit
Datecirca 1910
Inventory Number5176a
ClassificationSurveyor's Transit
Subject
Maker
W. & L. E. Gurley
1845 - 1968
Maker
C. L. Berger & Sons
fl. 1898 - 1960s
User
Lawrence Scientific School
1847 - 1906
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionstransit: 27 × 22.5 × 14.5 cm (10 5/8 × 8 7/8 × 5 11/16 in.)
case: 30.4 x 17.1 x 25 cm (11 15/16 x 6 3/4 x 9 13/16 in.)
case: 30.4 x 17.1 x 25 cm (11 15/16 x 6 3/4 x 9 13/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriescarrying case; dust cap; small tool; sunshade; key; plumb bob chain; tripod (5176b)
DescriptionThis instrument is made of brass and gunmetal. The telescope has one focusing knob, a spiral focusing eyepiece, and a bubble level is fixed under it. The telescope itself is supported by two inverted-V columns and moves vertically, its position measured by a graduated circle. A vernier provides precision readings.
The whole structure can also rotate on a central axis. A graduated circle (four quadrants) and two verniers provide precision readings. In the center there is a compass and also two bubble levels, positioned perpendicularly to each other. The instrument, finally, is supported by a base made of four leveling screws. The base is fixed on a tripod.
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a mahogany case, with a C. L. Berger & Sons label glued inside. (Perhaps the seller, though these transits were so similar from one company to the other that the cases could fit most of them.) Accessories are also stored inside.
The whole structure can also rotate on a central axis. A graduated circle (four quadrants) and two verniers provide precision readings. In the center there is a compass and also two bubble levels, positioned perpendicularly to each other. The instrument, finally, is supported by a base made of four leveling screws. The base is fixed on a tripod.
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a mahogany case, with a C. L. Berger & Sons label glued inside. (Perhaps the seller, though these transits were so similar from one company to the other that the cases could fit most of them.) Accessories are also stored inside.
Signedon instrument: W. & L. Gurley / Troy, N.Y.
Curatorial RemarksThe date is approximated from the instrument's serial number (10774). For more information on dating instruments from this firm, see <a href="http://www.surveyhistory.org/how_old_is_my_gurley1.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.
ProvenanceDepartment of Engineering, Harvard University.
Historical AttributesThe "LSS" mark indicates it was used by the people of the Lawrence Scientific Shool, which later became Harvard University's engineering deparment and shool of applied science.
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1910
Accessories: carrying case; sunshades (2); dust cap; trivet; tripod (5177b)
Object number: 5177a
William J. Young & Sons
Date: 1870-1875
Accessories: carrying case; dust cap; sunshade; leather belt strap; tripod (5165b)
Object number: 5165a
Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. & Company
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: carrying case; sunshade; dust cap; tripod (5164b)
Object number: 5164a
Stackpole and Brother
Date: circa 1885
Accessories: carrying case; dust cap; tripod (5168b)
Object number: 5168a
W. & L. E. Gurley
Date: ca. 1884
Accessories: solar attachment; case; level; green filter; sun shade; tripod (5163b)
Object number: 5163a
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1905
Accessories: wood case; leather case; right-angle prism; plumb bob; oil flask; tripod (5174b)
Object number: 5174a
Fauth & Company
Date: 1874-1905
Accessories: bubble level
Object number: 1997-1-1808
Bausch & Lomb Optical Company
Date: circa 1910
Accessories: carrying case; dust caps (2); sunshades (2); extra eyepiece; tripod (5170b)
Object number: 5170a
John H. Temple
Date: 1850-1870
Accessories: carrying case; dust cap; leather straps; tripod (5166b)
Object number: 5166a
Heller & Brightly
Date: circa 1908
Accessories: carrying case; plumb bob; tripod (5167b)
Object number: 5167a
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: 1860-1880
Object number: 1996-1-0699d
See also/See also
