An architect approached me to price a Gurley instrument. He said he used it sparingly over the years for simple building layout and now uses a newer but still old Lietz instrument.?ÿ
It's a Gurley transit, serial number 41894, MOD 132-F-20, as labeled on the instrument. The compass is marked "U.S." I checked all the knobs, motions, focus, etc and everything seems to be in good working order, except for two things:
1. I could not get the cross hairs to focus, but I may not have been doing it correctly.
2. It comes with attached lights for the telescope cross hairs and for reading the horizontal circle. The wires are deteriorated. I did not try to check the bulbs or batteries.?ÿ
The box is in good condition with no cracks. It comes with a lens cover, sunshade, plumb bob, brush, adjustment tool, bottle of oil, flashlight, screwdriver, and a couple of little things I couldn't identify. One of those things may or may not be a small 90 degree prism with a solar filter that somehow goes at the eyepiece end of the telescope. The box is also marked "U.S" on the nameplate next to "Gurley."?ÿ
There is a tripod with it, but the tripod is Dietzgen, not Gurley. However, the tripod has markings painted on it that look military, and they match markings on the box.?ÿ
He wants me to make him an offer, or at least tell him some information about it so he can sell it.?ÿ
While we were talking, he said, "Oh, that reminds me, I have another instrument that was my dad's. It was used by the French to survey in Canada in the 1700's, and it's about 4 feet long. I'll have to check it out next time I go there."?ÿ I wonder what that could be?
Thank you
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that Gurley is probably not worth $200.
search eBay and see if you can find a comparable.
It does sound like a "complete" kit, which is rare, but not being able to focus the cross-hairs sounds like it was severely abused.
tripods are also plentiful, is it a 3 1/2" threaded one?
Maybe $50 with free shipping.
another instrument that was my dad's. It was used by the French to survey in Canada in the 1700's, and it's about 4 feet long. ... I wonder what that could be?
Possibly a meridian transit or zenith instrument for finding latitude?
The WPA got a bunch of "U.S." marked Gurleys for the New Deal, 1 minute for construction and 20" for control. It may focus nicely if you try also the collimation knob (turn the eyepiece until the crosshairs are sharp, then focus. Betcha it works fine). Spellcheck doesn't like how I am spelling collimation. If it focuses it's worth $200 + $50 for the tripod. Non standard tripod head, somewhat hard to find. The running lights are so it can be used for astonomic azimuths. If the lights are attached it may be a dedicated astro instrument and be lacking mirrors that light the circles for daytime use. Check the box.
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The serial number indicates manufacture in 1941. Most likely a was a military instrument. These are not very sought after. The tripod is probably a 3 1/2 x 8 tpi and in good condition these are actually selling quite well right now. At least more than $50 and free shipping. BTW... shipping on this will be close to or more than $50 depending on zone.
Unsure what the reference to mirrors means. These transits never had mirrors that I've ever seen. Vernier transits are read directly.
So I purchased and took delivery of the Gurley transit this week. It's beautiful! It looks barely used. I'm happy with it.
@rod?ÿ
Would you mind posting pics of it?
Some of us old fellers care for those old pieces of our world.?ÿ
N
Is the thing with the filter a Roelof prism for sun shots? If so, it may be worth as much as the instrument, particularly if it will also fit other instruments.
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Basically for a Gurley if it has a serial number, its not worth much.?ÿ
Is the thing with the filter a Roelof prism for sun shots?
A Roelofs prism is attached to the objective lens, not the ocular lens.
Could be a subtense bar.
The earliest reference I can find to a (wooden) subtense bar is the 1880s, not the 1700s as the OP stated.
So I purchased and took delivery of the Gurley transit this week. It's beautiful! It looks barely used. I'm happy with it.
Pictures or it didnt happen.
The earliest reference I can find to a (wooden) subtense bar is the 1880s, not the 1700s as the OP stated.
He says it is brass, has French lettering on it, and he was told it was used to survey in Canada by the French in the 1700's. I have not seen it.
"Pictures or it didnt happen."
Tough Crowd! I was going to take it outside in good light, but the weather wouldn't allow. So, here you go.?ÿ
The prism is tiny and definitely not a Roelof. There is a very small green filter that pivots out of the way, allowing either an unfiltered or filtered view. A fair amount of light comes through the filter, and with the green tint I assume that it is for the moon, with the clear view for stars.?ÿ
I got the eyepiece to turn. It was stuck the first time I tried it. So, I hope the crosshairs will focus when I am able to take it outside.
The box is lettered "9TH. FLD. MAINT.?ÿ 9-23 INSTRUMENT" and the tripod is lettered "9TH. FLD. MAINT.?ÿ INSTRUMENT SHOP
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