P. & R. Wittstock dumpy level
Datecirca 1900
Inventory Number5146a
ClassificationSurveyor's Level
Subject
Maker
P. & R. Wittstock
circa 1900
User
Department of Engineering Sciences, Harvard University
founded circa 1918
User
Harvard Engineering Camp
founded 1901
User
Harvard Engineering Camp
founded 1901
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionslevel: 20.3 × 11.9 × 37.8 cm (8 × 4 11/16 × 14 7/8 in.)
case: 23.8 × 42.2 × 17.2 cm (9 3/8 × 16 5/8 × 6 3/4 in.)
case: 23.8 × 42.2 × 17.2 cm (9 3/8 × 16 5/8 × 6 3/4 in.)
Material
Accessoriesmahogany case; 2 sunshades; dust cover
DescriptionBrass dumpy level with the following major components (from top to bottom): telescope tube; spirit level; foot plate with four leveling screws.
The telescope tube is partly covered in green felt. It has knurling at its objective end and around the eyepiece. Bolted to the side of the telescope tube is a circular knurled knob. The telescope tube is raised off the level bar on rectangular brass blocks.
Suspended between two large brass pins on top of the level bar is a spirit level, also covered in green felt. The level tube has two oval glass windows. Each window has unlabeled scale in red.
The instrument's brass footplate is composed of three discs stacked atop one another. The top two discs are knurled. Resting on the footplate are four leveling screws, which extend down from a star-shaped brass piece clamped around the vertical spindle. Each screw has a circular knurled knob at its center.
The dumpy level is stored in a mahogany case. Also in the case are two sunshades and a dust cover.
See also the tripod for this level, 5146b.
The telescope tube is partly covered in green felt. It has knurling at its objective end and around the eyepiece. Bolted to the side of the telescope tube is a circular knurled knob. The telescope tube is raised off the level bar on rectangular brass blocks.
Suspended between two large brass pins on top of the level bar is a spirit level, also covered in green felt. The level tube has two oval glass windows. Each window has unlabeled scale in red.
The instrument's brass footplate is composed of three discs stacked atop one another. The top two discs are knurled. Resting on the footplate are four leveling screws, which extend down from a star-shaped brass piece clamped around the vertical spindle. Each screw has a circular knurled knob at its center.
The dumpy level is stored in a mahogany case. Also in the case are two sunshades and a dust cover.
See also the tripod for this level, 5146b.
Signedengraved on limb: P& R WHITTSTOCK BERLIN;
while label affixed to inside of case lid: P & R. Wittstock / Mathematical Instrument Makers / BERLIN S. 59. / Specification / [handwritten] Dumpy Level 660 / [specifications follow];
Inscribedengraved on case lid, white: D LEVEL / 14;
engraved on lid, black: L.S.S. 14 L;
plaque on case lid: HARVARD UNIVERSITY / 1732;
orange tag on instrument: HARVARD ENG. CAMP / ASHLAND, N.H. / (pencil) L 53/21;
painted on instrument base in white: 14;
Curatorial RemarksThis is level 14 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.).
FunctionFor use in surveying, to measure contours.
Note on instrument card: "Telescope inverts" [probably refers to inverted image in telescope].
After placing the dumpy level on a tripod (see 5146b) 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.
Note on instrument card: "Telescope inverts" [probably refers to inverted image in telescope].
After placing the dumpy level on a tripod (see 5146b) 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, L.S.S. level 14. Received October 1961. Harvard University tag 1723.
Historical AttributesUsed in the Harvard Engineering Camp, Squam Lake. Probably in the early 20th Century.
Herman E. Fessel
Date: circa 1870
Accessories: mahogany case; sunshade; dust cover; tripod (5145b)
Object number: 5145a
Adie & Son
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: case; dust cap and sunshade; eyepiece
Object number: 5209
Troughton & Simms
Date: circa 1830
Accessories: mahogany case with brass hooks and hinges, and felt protectors; additional eyepiece; magnifier; adjustable mirror; tripod mount; foot plate (5208b); tripod (5208b)
Object number: 5208a
Troughton & Simms
Date: circa 1840
Accessories: mahogany box with brass hinges and hooks
Object number: 5232
James E. Moody
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: mahogany case; sunshade; dust cap; tripod (5141b)
Object number: 5141a
Buff & Berger
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: mahogany case; sunshade; screws; dust cover; tripod (5144b)
Object number: 5144a
Buff & Berger
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: mahogany case; sunshade; screws; dust cover
Object number: 5143a
John H. Temple
Date: circa 1870
Accessories: mahogany case; sunshade; tripod (5142b)
Object number: 5142a
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1938
Accessories: sunshield; mahogany box with brass hinges and hooks; brass butterfly nut
Object number: 1989-1-0025
R. Iseli
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: walnut case with two adjustment tools, objective lens cap, and lens shade; Iseli trade card (inside box lid)
Object number: 5229
W. & L. E. Gurley
Date: before 1882
Accessories: mahogany case; leather belt; six metal screws; tripod, see 5148
Object number: 5148
