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Gurley "Pocket Railroad
Compass"
1890's Lightweight Transit
NO RESERVE AUCTION! - ACTUAL SHIPPING COST
'Everyone' knows that W. & L. E. Gurley of Troy New York
had a product called a "Pocket Railroad Compass", but you seldom see one
come up for auction. Well, here one is! This instrument, properly called
a "Pocket Railroad Compass with Telescopic Sight Attachment" was
intended for fairly rough work where lightness was an advantage, and
could be used as a standard compass with sighting vanes as shown here:
The
configuration shown here was first used in 1887, and was continued up to
the early 1900's, according to Mr. William Skerritt, noted Gurley
historian. This instrument does not have a serial number, placing it in
the early part of its period.
When the
telescopic sight is attached, it looks like this:
Here's the other side. The optics are only slightly
cloudy, the focus (on the front of the scope) operates well, and the
eyepiece rotates to focus on the crosshairs, which are intact. All three
bubble levels are intact and operate correctly, and the fine wires in
the sighting vanes are also intact. The compass, a 4-1/2" size, and its
lock mechanism all operate smoothly. On the downside, it's missing a a
couple of screws, and it has not been cleaned or polished any (maybe
that's an advantage, after all).
The mount
doesn't use the standard swashplate method of leveling, but a horizontal
tangent ball arrangement, again for speed and lightness. The plumb bob
is about 4-3/4" and is marked *N6482-8.
Here's the whole instrument on its tripod. No case with this
antique, but wouldn't it make a nice addition to your collection, or a
fine showpiece in your surveyor's office? I'll try to answer any
questions you may have - just click on the link below.
Shipping will be at actual cost via buyer's choice.
Insurance will be required. Payment must be by certified check or Money
Order(s) for immediate shipment. Personal checks will be accepted, but
the instrument WILL be held until the funds clear, due to the amount
involved. The instrument is guaranteed to be in the condition described.
Please ask any addition questions you may have, and I will promptly
answer them.
Thanks for looking, and Good Luck!
Click on Links below to:
View my other auctions
mailto:adarnall@concentric.net
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