Object Details
maker
W. & L. E. Gurley
Description
The inscription on this compass reads "W. & L. E. Gurley, Troy, N. Y." Gurley described this as a "Pocket Railroad Compass with Telescope." The form, with the folding sights offset so that the telescope is aligned with the north south line, was made between 1887 and 1920. The rim is graduated to 30 minutes, and numbered in quadrants from north and south. The outside of the box has a variation arc that extends ± 35 degrees, and that reads by folded vernier to 5 minutes. New, it cost $58.
Ref: W. & L. E. Gurley, A Manual of the Principal Instruments Used in American Engineering and Surveying (Troy, N.Y., 1904), p. 140.
William H. Skerritt, Catalog of the Charles E. Smart Collection of Antique Surveying Instruments (Troy, N.Y., 1996), pp. 36-39.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Robert V. R. Reynolds
ID Number
PH.312755.01
accession number
165452
catalog number
312755.01
Object Name
compass (pocket with telescope)
Object Type
Patent Model
Measurements
overall: 5 3/4 in; 14.605 cm
needle: 4 1/2 in; 11.43 cm
telescope: 8 3/4 in; 22.225 cm
vertical circle: 3 1/2 in; 8.89 cm
overall in case: 5 in x 10 3/8 in x 7 1/8 in; 12.7 cm x 26.3525 cm x 18.0975 cm
place made
United States: New York, Troy
Related Publication
W. & L. E. Gurley. Manual of the Prinicipal Instruments Used in American Engineering and Surveying; 37th Edition
Skerritt, William H.. Catalog of the Charles E. Smart Collection of Antique Surveying Instruments
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Surveying and Geodesy
Measuring & Mapping
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_761556