Need help identifying

Don't know. But I want it...

Some sort of Kern precision compass.
I really want a Wild T-0, but something similar...

It's called a "Compass Tacheometer"...(I've never personally seen one). Apparently used for topo and mapping.

Thank you so much! I've combed the Web looking for one, but didn't know what it was called!

Nate The Surveyor, post: 366422, member: 291 wrote: Don't know. But I want it...

Well we can certainly work a deal on it! Helping a friend clear her house and storage out. These belonged to a surveyor friend of hers from years ago! 🙂 really neat to look at!

I have an old K&E "Architect's Level" which is basically a dumpy level with stadia hairs and a graduated double motion compass/ vernier. A really snappy little gun that one could do a nice topo on a couple of acres rather quickly. The main drawback is the telescope does not 'arc' on trunions, it's fixed like a level. Topos with lots of vertical relief could be a challenge.

But it was unique and priced right and I grabbed it because of it's name.

I guess they were short lived because I'm relatively sure no architects ever learned how to use it .

Well that explains why I can't find ANYTHING a bout them. I guess it would have helped if I had known what it was called. It's a really neat little "toy!" Very good condition...

Monica ATkinson, post: 366478, member: 11549 wrote: Well that explains why I can't find ANYTHING a bout them. I guess it would have helped if I had known what it was called. It's a really neat little "toy!" Very good condition...

Three things that create value in old surveying instruments:

1. Age
2. Condition
3. Rarity

The Swiss instruments were (are) expensive, probably the top end of precision instruments at the time. Your compass appears to be in very good condition probably due to the fact it was owned by a surveyor.

I have used and collected instruments for over forty years and have never seen a Compass Tacheometer. My guess is it probably has some value.
Date wise the only definite thing I can tell you it is prior to 13 May 1988...when Kern was purchased by Wild/ Leitz. From the construction I would guess it is probably post WWII.

It is difficult to "price" old instruments. Most antique collectors think they're worth thousands of dollars, most are wrong. And there are a lot of people out there that will undervalue something in a effort to pry it away from the owner. Be careful.

Someone that might actually know something about that particular instrument is Dick Elgin:

Archer-Elgin Engineering, Surveying and Architecture
310 East 6th Street
Rolla, Missouri 65401
573-364-6362

paden cash, post: 366480, member: 20 wrote: Three things that create value in old surveying instruments:

1. Age
2. Condition
3. Rarity

The Swiss instruments were (are) expensive, probably the top end of precision instruments at the time. Your compass appears to be in very good condition probably due to the fact it was owned by a surveyor.

I have used and collected instruments for over forty years and have never seen a Compass Tacheometer. My guess is it probably has some value.
Date wise the only definite thing I can tell you it is prior to 13 May 1988...when Kern was purchased by Wild/ Leitz. From the construction I would guess it is probably post WWII.

It is difficult to "price" old instruments. Most antique collectors think they're worth thousands of dollars, most are wrong. And there are a lot of people out there that will undervalue something in a effort to pry it away from the owner. Be careful.

Someone that might actually know something about that particular instrument is Dick Elgin:

Archer-Elgin Engineering, Surveying and Architecture
310 East 6th Street
Rolla, Missouri 65401
573-364-6362

Wow! A wealth of information! Thank you so much! So appreciative of your advice!

Monica ATkinson, post: 366488, member: 11549 wrote: Wow! A wealth of information! Thank you so much! So appreciative of your advice!

Monica -

Another factor is completeness.

Many (most?) of the Kern instruments use tripods that are completely different than those used by other-brand instruments. Those tripods are very difficult to find today.

It seems that now many people own Kern instruments without tripods. That is easy to understand because when not in use the instrument went in its case and the tripod went someplace else. Then as situations change the tripods became far separated from their instruments and often disappeared.

There is not much "practical" value in an instrument for which one cannot obtain a tripod.

Your friend would be wise to spend some time and carefully match the Kern instruments with the correct tripods if at all possible - a Kern instrument with the proper tripod should be worth quite a bit more than the instrument by itself.

GB

[USER=961]@Glenn Borkenhagen[/USER] It just so happens that I have about 5 tripods (Kern) that I had posted separately. I actually have 3 pieces of equipment. A DKM1, a GK1 and then this compass tach. So it could be that the tripods actually go with them! How exciting!

Ms. Atkinson-

I'm certainly interested in purchasing the Kern compass tacheometer, if you're intending to sell it on this forum- either with or without a tripod to go with it. I would be fine with a personal phone call or email if you wish to sell this or any other surveying equipment- or you can reply here if you're wanting to accept offers via this forum. (my email and phone number are also in my profile, you can click on my name/ picture directly to the left to see that information)

Nathan Drummond

Ms. Atkinson, if interested my name and contact info (email, phone) are in my personal profile- click on the picture directly to the left (above the "NDrummond") to bring up my contact info. I didn't see any personal contact info for you yet in your profile.

Monica ATkinson, post: 366493, member: 11549 wrote: [USER=961]@Glenn Borkenhagen[/USER] It just so happens that I have about 5 tripods (Kern) that I had posted separately. I actually have 3 pieces of equipment. A DKM1, a GK1 and then this compass tach. So it could be that the tripods actually go with them! How exciting!

You will likely get the best response and the best price by matching each instrument with a tripod and selling them together. I recently saw an adapter that put a domed Kern style head on a standard tripod, but I don't recall where - probably the auction table at our state conference a couple weeks ago. An original tripod designed for the instrument is much more preferable to an adapter of some sort. If the remaining two tripods are in decent condition, you should be able to get a fairly decent price for them as well because of their rarity. The old Swiss instruments last forever as long as their not mistreated. Tripods are a different matter. They tend to get more abuse and have a shorter life.

Got them all matched and identified. I'd like to sell each piece of equipment with the tripod as a set. Thank you all for your help!