Images(3)

Y level

Datecirca 1890

Inventory Number5149a

ClassificationSurveyor's Level

Subject

Maker Buff & Berger 1871 - 1898

User Department of Engineering Sciences, Harvard University founded circa 1918

Repaired by Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company 1898 - 1982

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Place of Use

Dimensionslevel: 21.6 × 12.3 × 46.5 cm (8 1/2 × 4 13/16 × 18 5/16 in.)
case: 25 × 50.8 × 15.7 cm (9 13/16 × 20 × 6 3/16 in.)

Material

Accessoriesmahogany case with lock (key not found); leather strap; screwdriver; dust cover; sunshade; tripod, see 5149b

DescriptionBrass Y level consisting of the following major components (from top to bottom): telescope tube in two Y supports; spirit level; foot plate with four leveling screws.

The telescope tube has a knurled eyepiece. Clamped around the tube are two brass rings that protect the tube from contact with the Y supports. On top of the tube in the center is a knurled focusing knob. The entire tube except its objective end is of a rugged, dark green (brass oxides) color.

Each Y support is held closed by a brass pin having a ring at one end. A piece of string threaded through each ring ties it to the respective end of the level bar.

A spirit level, also painted green, is suspended from two brass posts projecting down from the telescope tube. The spirit level has two semi-oval glass windows. Each window is marked with a scale carrying values from 18 to 2, from outside to inside.

Below the level bar is a circular foot plate with with knurling around its edge. Four leveling screws project down from a star-shaped brass piece bolted around the vertical spindle before coming to rest on the foot plate. Around the center of each screw is a circular knurled knob.

Above the star-shaped brass piece is a brass piece shaped like a teardrop. Projecting horizontally out from the latter is are two circular knurled knobs. These are a fine motion tangent screw and a locking screw.

The Y level is stored in a mahogany case. Also in the case are a sunshade and dust cover.

See also the tripod for this level, 5149b.

Signedengraved on support: BUFF & BERGER BOSTON 1244;

Inscribedengraved on case lid: Y. LEVEL / 21 / PROPERTY OF HARVARD COLLEGE / [bottom cut off by plaque] 21 L (?); plaque on case lid: BUFF / TRADE MARK / BOSTON MASS / MASTER / CRAFTSMAN / PRECISION / LEVELS / TRANSITS / THEODOLITES / ALIDADES; painted on side of box: 21 / B.B/ BUFF & BERGER BOSTON 1244 Case: "Y. LEVEL 21 Property of Harvard College 21L"; painted on instrument base: 21; label affixed to inside of case lid: INSTRUCTIONS / [... instructions of use...] / BUFF & BUFF MANUFACTURING COMPANY / JAMAICA PLAIN STATION, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS / It is definitely necessary that in case of any repairs or essential adjusting that instrument be at once returned to BUFF & BUFF MFG. CO., JAMAICA PLAIN, MASS, -Express charges collect.; card stapled to box, back side: REPAIRS / File This in Card Index for Emergency Use / INSTRUMENT REPAIRING / AT / LOWEST POSSIBLE COST / Transits & Levels for Engineering and Contractors / OUR Buff shop has unusually fine sets of arbors, reamers and special apparatus for all makes of instruments. Our instrument men are accurate and carefully trained. The result is a bona fide repair job at economical cost. Our emergency service is prompt and thoro. Rebuilt instruments for sale or rental. Very sincerely, LOUIS F. BUFF, Pres. / BUFF & BUFF MFG. CO / 329 Lamartine Street, Jamaica Plain, Boston, Mass / A special souvenir plumb-bob sent on request / Phone -- Jamaica 0370 / Large Illustrated Catalog No. 55 / Adjustment Booklet No. 68 / 72 Years Leaders for Quality / Biff Accuracy is World-Known / To Secure Satisfaction BE SURE YOU SEND TO US.

Curatorial RemarksThis is level 21 in a series of at least twelve levels once belonging to Harvard's Department of Engineering. (CHSI has levels numbered 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24.); The date is approximated according to the serial number found on the instrument (479). This information was obtained from the following <a href="http://www.surveyhistory.org/how_old_is_my_c_l_berger_&_sons.htm" target="_blank">website</a>.

FunctionFor use in surveying, to measure contours.

After placing the Y level on a tripod (see 5149b) at his starting location, the user levels the instrument by means of the spirit level and the leveling screws. Then he sights a stadia rod through the telescope, moving the rod as needed until the target is centered behind the telescope's cross hairs. The difference in height between the telescope and the rod target indicates the gain in elevation over the horizontal distance between the two.

ProvenanceDepartment of Engineering, Harvard University, level 21. Received October 1961. No Harvard University tag.