W. & L. E Gurley Single Vernier Railroad Compass  This Gurley single vernier railroad compass is an early example of the W. & L. E. Gurley companies work. This company was formed in the 1850's and became the leading maker of surveying instruments in the USA.  The Troy NY location is at the top above the North Fleur d' Lei  which means it dates from the 1880 or before.  It is hand engraved as well.  The needle is 5" and swings freely and locks as it should. 

The box is nice with some minor rubs and chips at the edges.  There are two labels inside the top.  The previous owner carved his name and location in SC in the box lid.  A Google search did not turn up any info on the owner, but he may have played a part in dividing up the state during the period just after the Civil War.

 One of the sight vane screws is a mix - match, but it the proper thread.  If I did not mention it it would not be noticed.  One of the sight vanes is edge graduated to allow for elevation sightings.  There are small peep sights attached as well  The compass needs some minor restoration.  On the top of the compass the vernier lock screw needs attention, and the vernier adjuster across from it needs to be attached w/ 2 small screws which are not present. The gears look OK, and the compass body moves freely as it should,  just the small screws are missing to hold the adjuster.  The keeper or counter works and the needle lock and needle do as well.  It appears one level vial has been replaced w/ later lined version. 

All in all a nice example of a hard to find and early surveyors railroad compass.  It will display very nicely in or out of the box and has a great patina and graphic look to it. In the past I have had and seen this model offered for far more and the price reflects the minor restoration that could be done

Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic     

Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic     

Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic     

DE-GRC-RRCOMP

Good + . . . . . . $1450.00 

Order Now





W. & L. E Gurley Vernier Compass w/ 6' Needle  This Gurley single vernier compass is an early example of the Gurley firms work.  The Troy NY location is at the top above the North Fleur d' Lei  and dates this compass from pre 1880.  Gurley did not use serial numbers on their early instruments and it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint the exact year of manufacture.  This compass could date from the Civil War era from its attributes.  

The compass face is silvered and hand engraved.  The needle is 6" making this the largest size compass Gurley offered.  The needle swings freely and locks as it should.  The Brass cover is present and nice.  Some minor restoration works need to be done to return this piece to its full glory.  The Vernier adjuster & lock is missing from the left side.  This would consist of a threaded rod running through a ball nut that would occupy the two holes on the left side above the vernier scale just outside the compass.  On the right side there is a missing level vial.  These would be easy fixes and I can arrange to have this done for you, or it will display just fine as is. 

The box is nice with some minor rubs and chips at the edges. The original owner has scratched his name into the top of the box.   It is not objectionable.   A Google search did not turn up any info on the owner, but he may have played a part in dividing up the state just after the Civil War from what the consignor has said.  There is the remains of a label inside the top, but it has no legible writing on it.  Inside the box is the socket joint that would have been used to mount this to a staff or tripod.  The sight vanes are proper and nice, and are edge marked.    

All in all a nice example of a hard to find early Gurley surveyors compass.  It will display very nicely in or out of the box and has a great patina and graphic look to it.  I have  seen this model compass offered for far more and the price reflects the minor restoration that could be done

Click for Pic      Click for Pic     Click for Pic       Click for Pic       Click for Pic     

Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic     

DE-GRC-COMP

Good + . . . . . . $1495.00 

Order Now





Randolph's 1879 Patent Surveyors Compass w/ Telescopic Scope / Sight   Theodore Randolph working dates were from roughly 1850 to near the turn of the century.  He was a well known and respected surveying instrument maker fro Cincinnati Ohio.  He won several awards at exhibitions and first drew a patent for this style of telescopic compass in 1879.  It is a very unique looking and versatile design. 

This instrument has a detachable telescope that can be removed. The optics are good / clear.  There are a couple of empty screw holes in the scope body that i do not know what went there.  This can be seen in the pics.  The compass is operational and the 2  level vials embedded in the compass face are full with green blue liquid and appear to be original.  The outer silvered Vernier is nice.   The compass face measures approx 5" and it has a 4" needle which is operational.  The bronzed compass face is very nice, and the serial # is 4440.   This piece has never been cleaned and has a nice patina. The bottom connector is present and is prepared to be fitted to a tripod or staff with the threaded adapter which has a spring loaded quick releasel feature. 

A nice piece from a hard to find maker that will make a very nice display.

Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic     

Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic     

WW-RCTS-1

Good + . . . . . . . $1275.00  

Order Now

Robert Shaw Surveyor's Compass  Robert Shaw was born in New York City in 1817 and worked there throughout his career.  He died in 1876.  From what I have read he learned his trade and worked with from John H. Wheeler another early New York instrument maker prior to opening his own shop.  In Smarts' bio on him he says that Shaw was listed individually in 1836 as a instrument maker at the 222 Water St. location.  After that and until 1845 he was listed as having Addington Frye as a partner.   I suppose this surveyors compass with the location given could date from just after he first opened shop in 1836-1837, and before 1838 when he was in partnership with Addington Frye, or after 1845 when the partnership dissolved.  Later Directories indicate that Shaw was in business by himself at several other locations in the city after 1845 and in his later working years

Several years ago I had and sold a compasses marked with both names that was very similar in design and decoration to this compass.    There is a picture of that compass in the archives if you care to look. 

The overall condition of this surveying compass is superb.   The vanes fit nicely, and the knuckle joint is present.  It is all original and its patina has developed to a warm glow only possible after 150 years of careful storage.  The compass face has very detailed and nicely done  engraving around the ring and at the points.   Early New York instrument makers were proud of their work, and it shows in the level of quality and detail that was put into this piece. The box is proper and a very nicely figured burled / flamed Walnut.  It has a iridescence or shimmering quality even today nearly 150 years after it was made from the wood.  Several years ago I had a Shaw & Frye Compass, but otherwise they are very hard to find today, and are considered rare in most instances.  A very nice piece that is highly recommended!

Click for Pic      Click for Pic     Click for Pic        Click for Pic       Click for Pic

Click for Pic        Click for Pic     Click for Pic        Click for Pic     Click for Pic        Click for Pic

JG-SHAW-C

Fine . . . . . . . $2975.00  

Order Now

Gurley Miner's Compass / Dipping Needle  This small specialized Gurley Miner's Compass or Dip Needle is in super nice original condition. It is a well made and precision built compass to help miners or geologists locate ore deposits.  Examples by Gurley are pretty unusual and this ones looks to date from near the turn of the century or before.  There is a needle lock feature in the top stem and it all operates as it should.  There is a set of instructions included that appear to be from the era this was made.

The basic idea was that the user after determining or knowing the normal magnetic deviation for the area,  would hold this close to the ground as he walked along.  When the needle moved from its typical position that would indicate the probability of a ore deposit below.    The Gurley catalog from the 1880's also indicates this could be used horizontally as a regular compass if needed. 

 The catalog write-ups I have read leave it about there as to usage and do not delve into whether or not the user can determine what type of ore deposit is below him.  Others have made that claim with the "quack" gold locators sometimes seen where a compass like this is on the end of a stick and the secret gold finding material is in the handle.  Good Luck with that. 

An interesting Gurley piece in top condition for the mining display or surveying collection.

Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic      Click for Pic

DH-GDN-1

Excellent  . . . . . . $195.00  

Order Now

Gurley #316 & #318 Small Plain Compasses   Here are two different versions of small Gurley compasses in their original boxes.  The compass on the left is unmarked as to maker, but the construction details and box are basically the same as the one on the right that is marked Gurley.  The example on the left is missing its knuckle joint, but the compass is very nice as is the box. 

The marked Gurley plain compass on the right is in nice original condition.  It measures just about 4 1/2 " across.  It is clearly marked on the compass face W. L. & E Gurley Troy NY.  Also note in the pics the decorative engraving at the North Point.  The needle is 3 1/2 " long making this the larger off the two examples of these they offered and a # 318.  It comes in a nicely fitted Mahogany fitted box that is in nice condition.   This one does have the Knuckle joint fitting to adapt it to a staff for use in the field.  

Click for Pic      Click for Pic     Click for Pic     Click for Pic     

Click for Pic     Click for Pic     Click for Pic      Click for Pic

Left . . . . .  Good+ . . . . . . $295.00      JZ-GC-116

 Right . . . .  Good+ . . . . . . $450.00       DWG-GC1 18

Order Now



Buff & Berger High Post Alidade   This early Buff & Berger Alidade is in good overall condition.  The vial on the striding level is broken, but it is otherwise in nice condition.  It has an interesting look to it with all the mixed metals in natural finish which I believe is original.  There is original lacquer finish on the tail piece still flaking off.   Sometimes when you find instruments like this it indicates the original finish has been stripped and the maker did not care if he used different types or color material, but I do not think that is what is going on here.  I think they just decided to use the contrasting colors to make a visual statement.  The box is original and OK.   Alidades were intended for use with plane tables and used in mapmaking and plan drawing.    The optics are OK.  Buff & Berger began operations in the 1870's and split off into separate companies near the turn of the century which would date this from the 1880's or so. 

Click for Pic       Click for Pic      Click for Pic         Click for Pic       Click for Pic    

Click for Pic         Click for Pic        Click for Pic      Click for Pic

CLM-BBERG-ALD

Good + . . . . . . $395.00       SOLD

Order Now





Leitz Convertible Level / Transit  This small simple builders level / transit is in good condition.  The red finish is original and proper.  The optics are bright and clear.  The crosshairs present.   I would estimate it dates from before WWII.    It is a precision built instrument that will be a great user for layouts, lines, and corners or serve as a nice example of a simple instrument from the little known west coast maker A. Lietz..   The stiff legged tripod is included in the price as well. 

Click for Pic    Click for Pic     Click for Pic    Click for Pic

TL-LEITZ-BL

Good + . . . . . . . $195.00   

Order Now





Small Sighting Compass w/ Tripod   This small sighting compass is in nice original condition.  It is unmarked as to maker, but most of these are French.  Similar pieces were offered in all the American makers catalogs.  It is about 4" Dia.  There is no box and it came mounted on the tripod you see. 

Click for Pic      Click for Pic     Click for Pic

CYN-SLC-1

Good+ . . . . . . $150.00

Order Now








Gurley Wye or Builders Level  This 18" Gurley Wye level is in good condition. It is a precision built level that will be a great user for layouts and lines or will make a very nice and graphic display piece for the shelf or in the cabin.  The optics are clear, and the cross hairs present.  There is no tripod.

Click for Pic      Click for Pic

Good+ . . . . . $495.00     SOLD!

Order Now






W. & L. E Gurley / James Queen Surveyor's Compass  This is a nice looking early surveyor's compass. It is just under 16" long, and has a 5" needle. The compass points north as it should, but the needle lock does not function.   The level vials are good,  and the keeper dial clicks and stops as it should.  The sight vanes are proper and 1 is edge marked with degree marks from 1-20 on both sides along the edge of it.    The other sight vane has 2 swinging peep hole sights on it.  They are numbered to fit the compass and do fit the compass properly , but the locking pins are not present. 

The box is well worn and has some chips at the edges and some missing wood at one end.  There needs to be a small repair to this area to keep the compass from sliding when in place.  There are remains of two labels inside that I can not make out any name on.  There is info there, and pics of other representative instruments, but no name to be seen.   The interior pieces to hold the sight vanes and the missing knuckle joint have been glued and re-glued in place.  At one point this was done with a silver colored material that now shows on the interior in places.   The box needs to be repaired and refinished to look as good as the compass.

The compass face is double marked James Queen Philadelphia Agent  around the ring, and W & L. E. Gurley, Troy New York.  at the top and bottom.   James Queen first went into business for himself in the 1850's.  In the early days the Queen Co was more a distributer than maker and had a contract with Gurley to market their products as Gurley's agent. This relationship is described and a short history of the Queen Co. can be found on the Smithsonian's sight under Queen when searching by maker.  I believe that the way this compass face is marked would date it from early in the companies history.   Instruments sold under this arrangement can be found marked different ways, and I am not sure of the chronological order of the different markings.

All in all a nice example of a hard to find early surveyors compass.  It will display very nicely out of the box and has a great patina and graphic look to it.

Click for Pic      Click for Pic     Click for Pic        Click for Pic       Click for Pic      Click for Pic    

Click for Pic     Click for Pic        Click for Pic       Click for Pic     Click for Pic        Click for Pic    

Click for Pic

NW-G-Q-COMP

Good +. . . . . . $1350.00   SOLD!

We can help you sell your quality Antiques in this and other categories of Antiques.

If you have similar antiques or collectibles you want to sell please see our
FAQ Page, the Appraisal / Selling Page, and the Selling Your Collection Pages for further info about selling with us.

BACK

This website is Copyrighted
(1998 - 2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker