It looks like I might be purchasing a K+E 1' vernier Transit from ebay. I put in a little above the minimum bid but I'm the only bidder so if no one else bids I'm getting it for 99.95 plus shipping. The serial number dates to 1954.
It's pretty dirty. If I get it; it will be a Transit where I learn to be an instrument technician.
Feel free to bid against me ;-). I'm not going very high.
I love the line, "I looked through the scope and it works just fine". Get it before some homeowner does and sets their lot corners with it. "See that's all you need a hundred dollar piece of equipment, and some college math".
He doesn't say anything about the cross-hairs which is typical.
But getting good answers to questions (like confirming there is cross-hairs) seems to just draw more bidders out of the woodwork so I'm just going to take a calculated risk and if I acquire it cheap I don't have much to lose.
You also notice it doesn't have any tools or even a plumb bob. Sometimes they have the tripod. As far as I can tell with K+E the tripod isn't as critical because it should have the standard 3-5/8 thread. I have a tripod to put it on.
One guy had an unusual transit with unusual thread but he was selling the tripod separately? That is strange.
No lens hood, no plumb bob, and it doesn't appear to be screwed to the baseplate.
Just grates my molars as to how this thing might arrive.
Yeah I saw that too. If I rescue it maybe I can find a dropped instrument to salvage some parts from.
It clearly needs to be cleaned and probably lubed. I'm concerned there might be corrosion on the horizontal screw but maybe it is just dirt (the photo isn't very good). I can't imagine the box would look that good if it had been sitting in a damp spot.
The box looks pretty good, considering, though.
don't jinks it
I think that the collectible market might be a little soft these days good luck. I hope the seller has a return policy. But I would not worry about a 58 year old instrument having problems with the cross hairs.
On EBAY there are lots of shiny toys and you have chosen a workhorse that is not flashy so you will probably win it for a price not to dear.
don't jinks it
For 100 bucks I'll just keep it; it needs a good and loving home. That's less than my staff compass cost.
> He doesn't say anything about the cross-hairs which is typical.
I'm pretty sure that would be an engraved reticle in that vintage of K&E mountain transit. I have one just a couple of years older and it has an engraved reticle with solar circle in it.
Beware Of Snipers
> For 100 bucks I'll just keep it
If your current bid is truly your best and final offer, you're good, win or lose. But if you're thinking that you might go a little higher if someone else bids, you may be disappointed. eSnipe is highly recommended.
If it is a light mountain transit then that will make me very happy.
> If it is a light mountain transit then that will make me very happy.
That's certainly what it looks like to me. It looks identical to my K&E mountain transit of nearly the same vintage, box, label, and everything. Well, actually mine has the tools and a solar filter, but otherwise identical. And mine is cleaner, but aside from that, just the same.
Kent
why am I buying a used one?
According to google I can get a brand new one cheap! 😉
KENT ?
dO YOU USE THE INSTRUMENT IN RETRACEMENTS OR IT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE COLLECTED FOR ITS OWN SAKE
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
KENT ?
> dO YOU USE THE INSTRUMENT IN RETRACEMENTS OR IT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE COLLECTED FOR ITS OWN SAKE
No, I don't use that old K&E Mountain Transit. I just keep it around for its look and feel. Aside from the engraved reticle and the post-war coated optics, it's pretty much the identical instrument that was used for roughly 50 years in Texas surveying.
Kent
> why am I buying a used one?
>
> According to google I can get a brand new one cheap! 😉
Yes, the google is that way, sort of a web-based version of the guy with the overcoat full of watches, standing on the street and trying to sell to passersby looking for a forty-dollar Rolex.
KENT ?
Kent, you are correct, P5136 is the mid-50s K+E mountain transit model number.
Beware Of Snipers
Jim-I have the maximum in there I am willing to pay. If someone comes in and pays more then they can have it.
I just wanted to give it a good home if I can get it cheap.
KENT ?
If you win, here is a plumb bob.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NICE-VINTAGE-K-E-PLUMB-BOB-6481-12-/320941340788?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab9983874
or if you want to start a collection of plumb bobs, this lot probably has one too.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Older-K-E-Lufkin-590-Plumb-Bob-Lot-/180927360963?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a201c6fc3
yes, it is odd that the box looks better in condition than the transit.
If you are successful, you have a nice project to clean it up.
The serial number is the same on both so I don't think the box has been changed.
