Surveyor's Transit

Description:

Gurley described this instrument as a Light Mountain Transit with two verniers to the horizontal circle. The inscription on this example reads "W. & L. E. GURLEY, TROY, N.Y." It has a 4-inch needle, vertical arc, hanging level, and clamp and tangent to the telescope axis. With solar attachment and latitude arc, it cost $300. These features were designed by Robert M. Jones of New Mexico, and described in his patent (#270,679) of Jan. 16, 1883. The transit is also equipped with a gradienter that measures elevations of the telescope, and that cost an additional $18. Gurley began making these gradienters in 1885.

Gurley introduced the Light Mountain Transit in 1876. This example was made after 1886, when Gurley began using bent standards, and before 1908, when Gurley began using serial numbers. The label in the box, with an image of "W. & L. E. Gurley's Instrument Manufactory," was used until 1900, and suggests that the transit was made before that date.

Ref: W. & L. E. Gurley, Manual of the Instruments used in American Engineering and Surveying (Troy, N.Y., 1904), pp. 28-32, 56, 61-69, 83-84.

Date Made: about 1889

Maker: W. & L. E. Gurley

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: New York, Troy

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences, Surveying and Geodesy, Measuring & Mapping

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: W. & L. E. Gurley. Manual of the Prinicipal Instruments Used in American Engineering and Surveying; 37th Edition

Credit Line: LaVerne Watkins

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1989.0403.01Accession Number: 1989.0403Catalog Number: 1989.0403.01

Object Name: surveyor's transit

Measurements: overall: 13 1/4 in; 33.655 cmhorizontal circle: 5 1/2 in; 13.97 cmneedle: 4 in; 10.16 cmtelescope: 8 in; 20.32 cmhanging level: 5 in; 12.7 cmoverall in box: 14 1/2 in x 10 1/2 in x 10 in; 36.83 cm x 26.67 cm x 25.4 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-6e90-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_745878

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