I am
interested in many different types or forms of early survey instruments
and asso
ciated tools and accessories. I have other specific pages
covering different types of surveying
instruments on this site you should visit through the links provided. We buy and sell vintage
surveyor's compasses
like the compass to the right.
There is also an informational page covering
surveyor's levels like Wye and
Engineer's levels or farm levels
and dumpy levels.
We are especially interested in surveying
transits and especially more complex
antique surveying instruments such as mining related transits with
secondary scopes, Theodolites,
solar transits or solar compasses. Surveyor's 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 are
in general are more difficult to find as they were offered to
perform specific jobs
as opposed to general work.
If you have antique surveying
instruments or vintage surveyor's tools 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.
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.
Surveying
Tools & Accessories
One particular surveyor's tool that I am looking to buy are
called surveying chains. 
Surveyor's chains are linked wire measuring devices
and came in various lengths from 33' to 100' and in
several different configurations. Commonly found examples are
either unmarked or English and marked Chesterman. Chains can also be found marked K & E, Gurley, or by other American makers.
Some have special features to compenste for heat or expansion, most do
not. 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. They come in
many different sizes for different instruments. The earlier the
better. Plane tables and their tripods are also of interest.
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.
Another surveying related tool would
be unusual plumb bobs like the one pictured
here by Dietzgen with an internal reel or string winder. This
style internal reel plumb bo
b can be found with several different names or can be
found unmarked. Other
unusual plumb bobs have external wheels, or cranks, while those used for
mining were called plummets and have a lighting feature so that they could be
sighted in on at the end of a shaft or tunnel. Plumb bobs come in
all shapes and sizes, and are very collectible when patented or have
some unique attribute.
Surveying
Stadia Rules
Surveyor's also used different calculators or means to figure large
numbers in their
work
and all of these different devices are of interest as well. The
latest examples used that we would be interested in would be hand held
Curta calculators. Additional info on them can be found on the
calculation page.
Also of interest are different sliderules used by Surveyors that were
put out over the years. K& made or offered different models
through the years with their more typical being the 12" 4100 Stadia
Rule, or the 4101 20" model. They also offered the Webb Stadia
Rule that was a small portable circular rule that is very difficult to
find today. I have one of those pictured in the past sales
archives that i sold.
If you have antique surveying
instruments or vintage surveyor's tools 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.
In addition to this informational website we own and
operate our antique sales website
