Old Surveyor's transit or "Dumpy Level"

[talesofthesevenseas]

I bought this battered old surveyor's transit to use as a Victorian reenactment prop for my hubby. Since he's not able to get around too well, "surveying" seems to be a good way for him to interact with the public, getting kids to hold the measure up for him, then move them "a little to the right, now a little to the left" as he fiddles with the knobs, supposedly planning the next big construction project. 

From what I have seen online these were in use for a long time, from about the 1820's to about the 1930's and this type is called a "Dumpy Level" distinguished by the fixed mounting, rather than the adustable mounted "Wye Level". This one was an old barn find and the lenses have been broken out, but the "spirit level" or "bubble level" is still intact. Originally it had a hanging plumb bob, so I'll replace that. So it's only real use is as a prop and I only paid $30 for it, so value isn't an issue. I'll put a fake lens in the end of it and turn Hubby loose! 

I'm just curious if anyone can determine an age on this. There are no markings anywhere on it. It's a very simplistic model compared to most. Any thoughts on an age for this? It looks to have been painted at some point to look like brass and copper, but I'm not at all sure if that is original or a later addition. The slots on the screws look off-center on some, so I think they were individually slotted rather than being mass-produced with the slots.

Here's the transit:









And here's what Hubby will be doing with it:

[KC]

Talesof, this fella seems to have an extensive site and appears to be willing to answer questions and find replacement parts.  I would give him a holler!

http://www.antiquesurveying.com/page2.html

[talesofthesevenseas]

I emailed the guy KC suggested above, explained how we were going to be using the level as a reenactment prop and got a very nice, informative answer back. It's Victorian era and without markings, it really can't be dated any more precisely than that. It is intended only for leveling, which makes a whole lot of sense to me! The plumb bob is unusual, it's not likely that it was there for anything more than to give a precise starting point for measuring out from. I rigged it with a replacement plastic lens with crosshairs so it can be used to level at short distances. I also got a replacement plumb bob for it. So now Bob is all set to be able to demonstrate it's use in Old Sacramento this weekend and I'll be letting folks try out the treadle sewing machine. Film at eleven. 

 

[KC]

So glad he came through for you!!

Have a great time!

[talesofthesevenseas]

It will be a fun and he's enthusiastic about being "Bob Plumb" this weekend. I'll post some pics. I think this will turn out to be a good "second life" for a battered old piece like this that really doesn't have much in the way of antique value. The fact that it was only used for leveling also makes it easy to understand and easy to explain it's use to others.

[wendy177]

Way cool Tales sounds like so much fun!!!!!