Can you identify the instrument?

> My Grandfather was also a surveyor. I came across this picture of him in the 1950's surveying in St. Paul, MN. For pure curiosity I was wondering if anyone knows what is the instrument he was using.

My first guess would be a W.& L.E. Gurley transit, judging by the tripod. Dave Ingram should have a better idea.

If you can find that field book, 99% chance that your grandfather noted the instrument and serial number.

Great picture.

The identifying characteristics of that transit are the straight trunnion frames and the "half" circle on vertical angle arc. Although the telescope barrel seems a little long, Gurley is a good guess.

EDIT:

Here's a K&E Engineer's Transit. Barrel length on this model was 12". Serial number indicated 1920 vintage. One of the few K&E's that only had half arcs on the barrel arc. Note the barrel bubble's location in respect to the objective end of the barrel, in both this pic and the photo.

I believe I have the tripod but no instrument, field notes or anything else. My Grandfathers name was Jim Simonet and he worked mainly around St. Paul and Stillwater area. Unfortunately, I got into surveying after he passed. I would have loved to talk surveying with him if I only had the chance.

> My Grandfather was also a surveyor.

I cheated and did a little research. Your grandfather was licensed in 1933 as a land surveyor and in 1964 was president of the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors?

I may be entirely wrong about the tripod, but somehow it looks as if it belongs to an era at least a couple of decades before 1933. My first guess would be that your grandfather bought both the transit and tripod as previously owned equipment. 1933 probably wasn't the time to be sinking extra money into new anything.

My bet would be Gurley - but it's a little hard to see in this scan. If the pic is clear and sharp and you want to send me a hi-res scan I'd be happy to study it. Send it to me at:

ingram AT cfw DOT com

We have a Gurley light mountain transit that shares many characteristics with this one, but not, I think, the length of the scope; ours is 8.25".

Love that Jacket!

Is that possibly a brass “glare shield” on the end of shorter scope? I don't know if this is the proper name for the device but my dumpy level case has a compartment for a shield but it was not with it when I got it. To me the length of the scope looks a little bit lopsided to the balance point, but it could be the angle. It would make sense when making observations over snow or water.

Tripod looks like pre 1880. The wooden legs are sandwiched between the brass ears. Not like the newer years where the brass ear is sandwiched between the wooden legs. Also the color of the wood appears to be cherry. This is the kind of wood Gurley used for their tripods. My guess is a W. & L.E. Gurley.

Excellent information. I just learned something about him I did not know.

Thanks,
Scott

Looks like a close match to me as well.

By the way I like your adventure motorcycle avatar.

Thank you to everyone who chimed in. Sometimes looking into the past helps bring the future more into focus.

Scott

I believe the reason that the telescope appears to be so long is that it is a external focus rather than the later conventional internal focus.

Oh...is that brass-looking part in the end of the telescope actually extending out from the main tube and changes lengths when you focus? Or am I misunderstanding?

Thank you for your offer however, this is the best version of the picture I have.

> Oh...is that brass-looking part in the end of the telescope actually extending out from the main tube and changes lengths when you focus?

Yes. Here is a similar K&E transit of about the same vintage. The entire objective end of the barrel "telescopes" inwards and outwards as you focus. Note the discoloration of the barrel from the movement of the objective lens carriage.

Scott, when I chaired the MSPS Historical Committee I was in charge of a compass that was said to have belonged to your grandfather. I don't have any photos of it, but it was made by W. & L.E. Gurley in Troy NY. Another Minnesota surveyor who is a serious instrument collector said it would date from somewhere between 1852 and 1880.

John,

Thank you for that piece of info. Based on what I know I believe you have the most plausible answer to what he was using in that photo. I have heard the instrument ended up at the MN Historical Society second hand from my mother. I am happy to know the instrument is in good hands.

Scott