This gunner’s level is clearly marked across the top on one side with an eagle over “U.S. / WATERVLIET / ARSENAL/ 1862.” This was an essential artillery tool enabling an artillery crew to correctly sight a piece even if not on level ground. This is constructed of heavy sheet brass with the bottom cut out in a wide crescent whose two points each hold a short, cylindrical, steel rod perpendicularly, which can then rest on either side of a cannon barrel without marring it. On the opposite face from the one with the marking, a horizontal spirit level is mounted on a short shelf held by two screws parallel to a line drawn between the points of the crescent, enabling the gunner to determine when it is level. A perpendicularly mounted vertical flat steel slider with a pointed end can then be lowered to the surface of the barrel at its base, touching its highpoint, which was then marked with chalk and used in sighting by the gunner. The slider has a small brass knob at top and passes through a screw-fastened brass guide bracket at top and a slot in the shelf holding the spirit level below.

This is complete, with functioning spirit level and the brass knob in place on top of the sliding pointer. The markings are clear. The brass on the marked side has an undisturbed medium aged patina with the other side showing some bright metal at center near the slider with darker stains near the edges and a little thin verdigris on the spirit level. The slider shows a mix of gray and thin, faded blue, with some faded blue also on the screws.

This is a key piece in a display of Civil War artillery tools and equipment, dated early in the war, and by an arsenal supplying various pieces of artillery gear to the army.    [sr] [ph:L]

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