What is this?

[raynerd]

Has anyone got any idea what on earth this is. It looks lovely, but I just haven't a clue!!

I don't have a idea so no idea who to ask!! If anyone can tell me or point me in the right direction.

Chris

[PTsideshow]

Photo's are way too large to view on most screens they should be reduce to about 1000 pixels on a side. I had too move the slider way to many times and still couldn't get a good look at the photo's. It would also help if you would rotate either the photo or the camera when taking the photo! From what can be seen in the thumbnail I would guess some type of surveying transit

[raynerd]

Images direct off iPad. Can't change until I get home! Just promised my grandad I'd post them and try and find out.

Chris

[Bangkok Mick]

It looks like an old theodolite, a surveyor’s instrument for measuring angles. They are all now electronic and use GPS coordinates to measure mangles. They would be used for setting out sites for new buildings etc.

[Pete.]

It looks like an old theodolite, a surveyor’s instrument for measuring angles. They are all now electronic and use GPS coordinates to measure mangles. They would be used for setting out sites for new buildings etc.

Yep, that's what it is, a surveying tool. Do a search for 'brass theodolite'.

[lordedmond]

looks like a 'dumpy' to me as has been suggested by others


Stuart

[vtsteam]

Images direct off iPad. Can't change until I get home! Just promised my grandad I'd post them and try and find out.

Chris

What about shrinking online? Just found this:
 
http://www.shrinkpictures.com/

Doesn't Ipad have onboard photo editing though?

[raynerd]

Doesn't Ipad have onboard photo editing though?

Enhance , red eye , rotate and crop - no resize that I can see.

[raynerd]

Thanks for the useful replies guys! Now you have said it, googling certainly suggests that it is a theodolite! My grandad will be chuffed when I tell him what it is - every few months he asks me to find out and I never bring my camera. Today when I randomly had my ipad I thought it was an ideal opportunity to take a pic and post it directly online. I'm pleased the oversize pictures didn't make it impossible for all of you to identify it for me! Thanks once again chaps.

Chris

[Pete.]

looks like a 'dumpy' to me as has been suggested by others


Stuart

Strictly speaking, it's not a dumpy because a dumpy only works on one plane (horizontal). It's a level checking/setting tool.

[lordedmond]

opps  red face i blame the AGE factor


Stuart

[Shadow]

I used to be in the survey instrument repair business. I have worked on instruments dating as old as 1873. I am not familiar with the instrument shown and would suggest taking it to a instrument shop in your area before attacking the brass with any polishing compound. If the instrument has any value, alteration could destroy some value.

The straight knurled knobs and rather straight angular features may suggest it is a more modern day copy, not an orginal of any particular maker.

I have an old instrument someone held up to a buffing wheel and seemingly removed a green deposit. The excess black buffing compound was left in recesses and odd shaped areas. The instrument as manufactured had a green finish applied over the brass, it was not discolored brass. The result was an instrument that was intact in every other aspect, including the spider web crossgair, but now the finish was destroyed.

[philf]

Has anyone got any idea what on earth this is. It looks lovely, but I just haven't a clue!!

I don't have a idea so no idea who to ask!! If anyone can tell me or point me in the right direction.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Don't get your Grandad too excited.

It's really an ornamental object probably made in India.

See:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9-SOLID-BRASS-THEODOLITE-Alidade-SURVEY-INSTRUMENT-/121114260104?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c32f8f288#ht_2707wt_1170

for an identical (although shiny) one.

Cheers.

Phil.

[RodW]

opps  red face i blame the AGE factor


Stuart

X 2. The advantage of a theodolite is that you can change the angle in uneven terrain so you had less setups. But the maths is a lot more complex to calculate distance. When leveling it, follow the left hand thumb rule. Pick any two knobs and put the thumbs of each hand on them. Either move your two thumbs out and away from each other or in and towards each other. The levelling bubble will follow the left hand thumb. Get it level one way then pick a different set of two knobs and repeat. Continue until level which should be quick unless you break the rule!

[raynerd]

Has anyone got any idea what on earth this is. It looks lovely, but I just haven't a clue!!

I don't have a idea so no idea who to ask!! If anyone can tell me or point me in the right direction.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Don't get your Grandad too excited.

It's really an ornamental object probably made in India.

See:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9-SOLID-BRASS-THEODOLITE-Alidade-SURVEY-INSTRUMENT-/121114260104?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c32f8f288#ht_2707wt_1170

for an identical (although shiny) one.

Cheers.

Phil.

Haha... Oh dear!!! That definitely looks identical to mine!!

Great find Phil. Pity it isn't anything special but at least I know what it is!

Chris