A very uncommon 3rd quarter 19th c William Schmolz San Francisco made transit instrument with early motions similar to that of solar compass; that being, the compass box may stay fixed to the lower motion while the telescope plate and standards may revolve on a vertical axis. The long telescope on this instrument can only transit in one direction. The original (well-used) case carries the labels of both Roach and Sala, successors to Schmolz. There is a plumb bob in the box marked Sala. The transit is Schmolz Serial Number 605.

Bob Miller referred to this transit style as a "Pre-1862 Surveyor's Transit" in an article discussing the first Surveyors Transits made in the U.S.

The Schmolz 1859 catalog says with respect to this type of transit:

"The great advantage of this construction, especially in surveying ranchos, where such a multiplicity of courses is required, must be obvious, at once, to every surveyor."

The transit also features a rarely scene telescope. The eyepiece rotates in place to focus the eyepiece and bring the crosshairs into view. This rotating eyepiece was a patented design by the Kuebler & Seelhorst instrument making firm. Schmolz might have purchased the telescope from that firm, or copied the designed while making the telescope for this transit. Kuebler drafted a very easy to read and understand patent description, which you can read here.

The Schmolz transit offered here is complete with the original leveling base, tripod and case. A very uncommon west coast instrument. Note, during the California gold rush, Schmolz produced a catalogue book offering items necessary to become a successful gold miner. 

The telescope on the transit measures 11.25 inches and the needle is 4.75 inches.

Please see my Schmoplz Maker Webpage for more information regarding Schmolz (including PFDs of some of his catalogues).

Dale had previously offered this transit for sale at $3000. Dale gave me a good deal on this transit, so I can drop the price to $2650.

There are very few of these Schmolz Pre-1862 Surveyor Transit types known to exist. My dad purchased one of them for $2150 in 2000, and his lacked the leveling base and tripod.