Mahn & Company (1891-1906, company)

Herman Mahn operated Mahn & Company between 1891 and 1906 located at 212 Locust Street in St. Louis. The company was listed in 1891 as dealing in surgical instruments. By 1893 Mahn & Company's catalog listed a line of transit-theodolites, transits, levels and custom made scientific and geodetic instruments. The company also made astronomical instruments but only to order "...each customer having ideas of his, to which the constructor must adhere...." They boasted of a complete and modern manufacturing facility, "...consisting of the latest and most improved machinery and tools, with the advantages of steam power...we are enabled to compete with the best makers in quality of work as well as in prices."

They also repaired instruments of other makers as well as their own. A notice in the shop carried the warning that with the exception of Mahn & Company and other first rate makers, they were only responsible for their own work. The reason given was that many instruments of lesser quality simply could not be made perfect.

It appears Mahn targeted the western market. The introduction of the company’s 1893 catalog states, "We are very confident that hereafter Western Engineers, Colleges, and other Education Institutions need not go further for their instruments; for in prices, as well as in quality, we are enabled to compete with the oldest and best known factories in the eastern market."

National Museum of American History - Vernier Compass