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  • leveling mount for surveying instrument

leveling mount for surveying instrument

leveling mount for surveying instrument

Date: circa 1910
Inventory Number: 2004-1-0361
Classification: Surveying Equipment
Subject:
optics, surveying,
Maker: American ?
Cultural Region:
United States,
Dimensions:
12 x 14 x 14 cm (4 3/4 x 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.)
Material:
brass,
Description:
This is a brass leveling mount for a level or other surveying instrument, partially enameled in black.

The top portion of the mount consists of an exposed brass disc with two smaller, concentric raised rings, and several flat screws around its circumference. Four brass pins project inward from the larger raised ring.

The cylindrical portion of the mount directly below the brass disc is threaded.

Around the center of the mount is an enameled brass piece with four arms. Projecting down from each arm is a leveling screw with a knurled knob. Two knobs project horizontally from the mount: an hexagonal one that secures the turning mechanism, and a round one that is used to affix part of the mounted unstrument to one of the levelled legs. A flexible metal plate appears to work as a bumper to limit the bases' freedom to rotate.

The level plate at the base of the mount has scalloped edges and is enameled.
Signedunsigned
FunctionFor mounting a surveying instrument on a tripod.

The mount is placed on top of a tripod, and the instrument secured on top of the mount. The four leveling screws are then adjusted until the instrument's built-in indicators show that it is level.
ProvenancePrivate Donor, Troy, NY, 2004.

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