Antique & Vintage
W. L. & E Gurley Surveying Compasses

Past Sales Archive

This is just a sample of the many antique surveying instruments we have sold from this website. If you have similar antiques you want to sell on consignment with us,  Contact Us. 

For further info on selling your antiques with us please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages.

W. & L. E. #232 Gurley Surveyor's Compass  This Vernier Compass is by Gurley the best known maker of  surveying instruments in America.  The bubbles are good, the compass needles swings freely and the sight veins and their screws are original and nice as well. The Mahogany box is very nice and shows just minor scuffing.  The paper label inside is very nice as can be seen.  It has a needle that measures just under 6" and the instruments overall length is just under 16".  The top glass is original.  The silver on the face is nice, and I believe this instrument dates from near the turn of the last Century.           

Good+ ............$1075.00     SOLD!    

W. & L. E. # 232 Gurley Surveyor's Compass  This flat Vernier Compass is by the best known and most renowned maker of  surveying instruments that ever produced surveying instruments in America.  This company was founded in the mid 1800's and became the best known and most widely respected of instrument makers in America.  The bubbles are good, the compass needles swings freely as it should and the sight veins and their screws are original and nice as well. The Mahogany box is very nice and shows just minor scuffing.  The paper label inside is very nice as can be seen.  It has a needle that measures just under 6" and the instruments overall length is just under 16".  The top glass had to be reputtied as it was loose, but looks great now.   As can be seen the cover for the compass is present as well.  The silver on the face is nice, and I believe this instrument dates from the late 1800's.    

Good+ ............$1095.00       SOLD!  

W. & L. E. Gurley Surveyor's Compass  This Vernier Surveying Compass is a Gurley in a craftsman made box.  The bubbles are good, the compass needles swings freely as it should and the sight veins and their screws are original and nice as well. The Pine box is nice but not original.   It has a needle that measures just under 6" and the instruments overall length is just under 16".  It appears from the empty holes on the plate on the right side that the keeper or tally feature is missing, but there is no evidence of one ever being there.  Perhaps it was an option and the holes are on all compass plates from this era.  I do not know. The top glass appears to be original.  The silver on the face is nice, and I believe this instrument dates from the late 1800's. 

Good+ ............$795.00        SOLD!  

Gurley #217 Surveyors Railroad Compass  This wonderful surveying instrument dates from the late 1800's and is in super original condition.  It is the smaller of the two sizes of Railroad Surveying Compasses  that Gurley produced, with this example having a 5" needle and being 16" long from end to end.  With two verniers, angles could be read to a degree of precision not available using a single Vernier as on the single Vernier Compasses or using just the needle as with Gurley #232 Plain Compass.  In other words, this was the top of the line instrument for precise surveys during its time.       Good+ ...........$1650.00     SOLD!

Gurley Railroad Compass with Auxiliary Scope  This was Gurley largest complicated compass they offered.  The fellow who ordered this one went the full 9 yards with both bases and the auxiliary scope, all made to fit in the proper box.  The optional leveling base as can be seen that could be used with a small tripod and the ball and socket stall joint is out in front..  The condition of this instrument is exceptional with nearly 100% of the original lacquer finish still present.         SOLD!!

Gurley Railroad Pocket Compass with Auxiliary Scope  These compact and versatile instruments were used for a variety of applications. Although not as accurate as a transit they were sufficiently precise for general work in the field.  They were offered in different sizes and configurations, and this one has a 4 1/2 in needle.  It also has the optional leveling base as can be seen that could be used with a small tripod.  The condition of this instrument is exceptional with nearly 100% of the original lacquer finish still present.    SOLD!!

This is just a sample of the many antique surveying instruments we have sold from this website. If you have similar antiques you want to sell on consignment with us,  Contact Us.