Buff & Berger Y level
Date: circa 1880
Inventory Number: 5144a
Classification: Surveyor's Level
Subject:
Maker: Buff & Berger (1871 - 1898)
User: Department of Engineering Sciences, Harvard University (founded circa 1918)
User: Harvard Engineering Camp (founded 1901)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
level: 21.4 × 43.3 × 12.6 cm (8 7/16 × 17 1/16 × 4 15/16 in.)
case: 23.7 × 47.3 × 15.4 cm (9 5/16 × 18 5/8 × 6 1/16 in.)
Accessories: mahogany case; sunshade; screws; dust cover; tripod (5144b)
DescriptionBrass Y level with painted finish, consisting of the following major components (from top to bottom): telescope tube in two Y supports; spirit level with attached scale; foot plate with four leveling screws.
The telescope tube has knurling around the eyepiece end. Bolted on the side of the tube near its center is a single knurled knob. Clamped around the tube to either side of this knob are two brass rings, which protect the tube from contact with the Y supports. Projecting out from the tube on both sides of the brass ring nearest the eyepiece are four brass pins.
The hinged top portion of each Y support is held closed by a brass pin. Tied around each pin is a cord, which is also looped around the closest end of the level bar.
A spirit level is suspended from two brass posts bolted to the bottom of the telescope tube. The spirit level has two semi-oval glass windows. Bolted perpindicular to the top of the level tube is a silver plate engraved with one scale near each end. Each scale has values descending from 8 to 0, then ascending from 0 to 8. The 0 point on each scale is marked with an etched "v".
Below the level bar is a circular foot plate with four leveling screws. Each screw projects down through a second disc before coming to rest on the footplate. Around the center of each screw is a circular knurled knob.
Attached to both the top disc and the vertical spindle are two knobs. One knob is circular and knurled; the other knob is key-shaped.
The Y level is stored in a mahogany case. Also in the case are a sunshade, a dustcover, and several screws.
See also the tripod for this level, 5144b.
The telescope tube has knurling around the eyepiece end. Bolted on the side of the tube near its center is a single knurled knob. Clamped around the tube to either side of this knob are two brass rings, which protect the tube from contact with the Y supports. Projecting out from the tube on both sides of the brass ring nearest the eyepiece are four brass pins.
The hinged top portion of each Y support is held closed by a brass pin. Tied around each pin is a cord, which is also looped around the closest end of the level bar.
A spirit level is suspended from two brass posts bolted to the bottom of the telescope tube. The spirit level has two semi-oval glass windows. Bolted perpindicular to the top of the level tube is a silver plate engraved with one scale near each end. Each scale has values descending from 8 to 0, then ascending from 0 to 8. The 0 point on each scale is marked with an etched "v".
Below the level bar is a circular foot plate with four leveling screws. Each screw projects down through a second disc before coming to rest on the footplate. Around the center of each screw is a circular knurled knob.
Attached to both the top disc and the vertical spindle are two knobs. One knob is circular and knurled; the other knob is key-shaped.
The Y level is stored in a mahogany case. Also in the case are a sunshade, a dustcover, and several screws.
See also the tripod for this level, 5144b.
Signedpainted on side of instrument in script: Buff & Berger / Boston / 479
Inscribedon case lid: L.S.S. / LEVEL NO. 7;
engraved on case lid: V [Y?]. LEVEL / 7;
plaque on case lid: HARVARD UNIVERSITY / 1725;
on side of case in white: 7 / B-B.;
paper note pasted to inside of case lid, handwritten: Level No. 7 / (1) Cap (2) Sun Shade [rest crossed off];
orange paper tag: HARVARD ENGINEERING CAMP / ASHLAND / N.H.;
engraved on case lid: V [Y?]. LEVEL / 7;
plaque on case lid: HARVARD UNIVERSITY / 1725;
on side of case in white: 7 / B-B.;
paper note pasted to inside of case lid, handwritten: Level No. 7 / (1) Cap (2) Sun Shade [rest crossed off];
orange paper tag: HARVARD ENGINEERING CAMP / ASHLAND / N.H.;
FunctionFor use in surveying, to measure contours.
After placing the Y level on a tripod (see 5144b) at his starting location, the user levels the instrument by means of the spirit level and the leveling screws. Then he sights a stadia rod through the telescope, moving the rod as needed until the target is centered behind the telescope's cross hairs. The difference in height between the telescope and the rod target indicates the gain in elevation over the horizontal distance between the two.
After placing the Y level on a tripod (see 5144b) at his starting location, the user levels the instrument by means of the spirit level and the leveling screws. Then he sights a stadia rod through the telescope, moving the rod as needed until the target is centered behind the telescope's cross hairs. The difference in height between the telescope and the rod target indicates the gain in elevation over the horizontal distance between the two.
Curatorial RemarksThis is level 7 in a series of at least twelve levels once belonging to Harvard's Department of Engineering. (CHSI has levels numbered 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24.);
The date is approximated according to the serial number (479). For this information, see the following website.
The date is approximated according to the serial number (479). For this information, see the following website.
ProvenanceDepartment of Engineering, Harvard University, L.S.S. level 7. Received October 1961. Harvard University tag 1725.
