Vintage W&LE Gurley Survey Transit Scope In Case With Tri - Pod & Tools

By W. & L.E. GURLEY, TROY, N.Y. Cast and milled metal constructionwith black paint finish. Bakelite knobs. All original.  In itsoriginal, solid wood, dovetailed case. The case has a hinged lid, 2 brass, anda replaced buckling leather carry strap with padded handle. Includes lensshade, lens cover and plumb bob.Markings on transit: "551591" - "W. &L.E.Gurley, Troy, N.Y., USA".CONDITION:  TRANSIT, COSMETIC CONDITION:The transit is in excellent all original... cosmetic condition. Nodamages and no significant wear. No restorations or touch ups.  Nomissing parts. No replaced / non- original parts.  No nicks, chips, cracks, breaks, splits, dings, dents, gouges, bruises, looseness. Nosignificant scratches or rubs.  Very clean as found, allsides.  No corrosion or significant oxidation. TRANSIT FUNCTION, LENSES, ETC:   Thetransit is fully functional as designed. All knobs turn easily with no issues.All bubble levels are intact and functional.   All lenses areclean and clear with no apparent scratches and no haze or cloudiness.  Nosigns of abuse.   The unit was in use until it was retired. (SeePhotos)CASE:   The case exhibits typical use-related wear tothe exterior. Otherwise the case is in very good condition with no damage. Thecase is generally clean as found. Plumb bob (may not be original) screw driverand 2 pins. (See Photos) Strap NOT original (just makes it easier to carrythough)TRIPOD:  The tripod is Hardwood andexhibits typical use-related wear due to its extensive use. The Tripod wasPainted Orange, but could be stripped and refinished, but has a classic patinafrom use All pieces are original and fully functional. Stands xx Inches whencollapsed (See Photos) 3.5” mount Note: Small chip on one leg at bolt but doesnot affect function Tripod is 5 Feet collapsedDIMENSIONS: Case:  11”x11”x16.5” Tripod dimensions forshipping  5’10” x 6”diaWill be shipped in 2 packages No reserve! GurleyWilliam Gurley (1821–1887) studied civil engineering atRensselaer Polytechnic Institute, worked for Oscar Hanks, a surveyinginstrument maker in Troy, New York, and then went into partnership with JonasH. Phelps, another local instrument maker. Lewis Ephraim Gurley (1826–1897)worked for Phelps & Gurley, earned a B.A. from Union College, and thenrejoined the firm. The Gurley brothers took over the firm in 1852, begantrading as W. & L. E. Gurley, and were soon the largest manufacturer ofengineering and surveying instruments in the United States. Several factorscontributed to their success. They established a factory rather than a craftworkshop, practiced a strict division of labor, hired workers who wererelatively unskilled, advertised widely, and offered instruments at competitiveprices. Their Manual of the Principal Instruments Used in American Engineeringand Surveying, published from 1855 to 1921, was a catalog of their instrumentsand an intelligent explanation of how they were to be used. The design of Gurley instruments remained remarkably stablefor many years, making it difficult to determine the date of a particularinstrument. But there are some important clues. Since the signatures on theearly Gurley instruments were cut by hand, the letters have V-shaped trenches, and their lines are of varying width. By contrast, the signatures on Gurleyinstruments made after 1876 were done with an engraving machine, and thus havelines with vertical walls and uniform width. The Gurleys introduced serialnumbers in 1908, with the first digits indicating the year of manufacture, andthe latter digits indicating production rate. Thus, transit #9296 was the 296thGurley instrument made in 1909. W. & L. E. Gurley was incorporated in 1900, with all the stock held by the family. Teledyne purchased the firm in 1968, began trading as Teledyne-Gurley, and phased out the production of surveyinginstruments soon thereafter.
 

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