c. 1890s Buff & Berger Bevel-Limb Transit Engineer Architect Surveyor Instrument

Description

www.Patented-Antiques.com selling on Ebay as TheAntiqueMerchant
Larry & Carole Meeker
Antiques of a Mechanical Nature
selling on eBay and the Internet as
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presents
Genuine Antique
Vintage Collectible & User
Surveying Instruments
c. 1890s Buff & Berger Bevel-Limb Transit
Engineer / Architect / Surveyor Instrument
w/ Wooden Tripod
Description:
This sale is for the c. 1890s Buff & Berger Bevel-Limb Transit pictured. This large & graphic Buff & Berger Bevel-Limb Transit is a rare instrument.  It is in very good overall condition. There is no serial number but given the Buff & Berger inscription it pre-dates the partnership breaking up in 1898.
This style transit with a beveled limb made the back cover of the 1897 Buff & Berger catalog and was also offered in a few later Berger catalogs after the Buff & Berger partnership dissolved in 1898.
A renamed version still commands the back page of the 1908 Berger catalog I have. I had one other Buff & Berger bevel limb transit 15 or so years ago and have never seen another offered for sale, or in other collections. That other one came from a direct descendent of the original makers family. The catalogs that featured this transit as the back cover also featured the rare double standard mining transit they offered as the centerfold. The prominent placement in the catalog was not by accident. It is a very special piece.
This transit is one of the few American instruments produced with a beveled limb on the horizontal circle. The write up in the catalog explains why the idea was not utilized for long and why so few were produced. It also explains why it was not promoted as a "new improved - better idea". Bottom line, it was difficult and expensive to produce, very fragile, and prone to wear out or get damaged. The write up further warns that repairs would cost several times more than on a typical instrument with flat plate vernier scales.
The catalog description goes on and on about all the draw backs, and ends with the statement "To our mind bevel graduations should be confined to exceptional cases and to larger instruments read by micrometer microscopes. It is a wonder anyone ever bought one given the catalog write-up. Marketing 101 at its worst.
The scope is 12" long, and the compass needle 3 /34" long. The brass areas have a nice even natural patina. The optics are good. There is one vertical crosshair. All motions operate smoothly. The needle swings freely and points north. All level vials are good. The box is period and made for the instrument but is sort of crudely done so am not sure if it is factory. It has a 3 point leveling system, and the proper tripod with some minor repairs is included.
One of but a handful known. This rare beveled limb transit will display very nicely and has a great graphic look and nice patina to it. Opportunity!!!
Pics tell the story. Please look at all the pics to see the details and condition. What you see is what you get. Bid it to own it!!
Please be sure to view our other sales on eBay for similar antiques and collectibles. Google our Ebay name Patented-Antiques.com to see even more surveying related antique instruments & collectibles.
Thanks. Enjoy and Good Luck!!
Shipping Info & Terms
Shipping:
US SHIPPING 0.00 in two boxes.
Prior Sale:
All items are subject to prior sale as they may be listed for sale and sold elsewhere.
Our Credentials:
We are full time antique dealers who have been at this for over 30 years. Bid or buy with confidence. Our descriptions and our photos are never designed to misrepresent or over-embellish our merchandise. To see and learn more about us search or Google our Ebay name.
Returns:
We offer a money-back refund with return shipping paid by buyer if you are not satisfied. Notify us within 48 hours of receipt, and simply return the same item, in the same condition as shipped for a refund.
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