This is a working and original, mid 1800s W. & L.E Gurley surveying compass.  Brothers, William and Lewis Ephraim Gurley, established the company in 1852 in Troy, New York. Both had extensive backgrounds in civil engineering as well as survey instrument production. The sturdy and efficient design of their survey compass led them to be the largest manufacture of surveying instruments.

The item comes in an octagonal box that measures 8 ¼” long and has minor exterior and interior scratches from age and use.  On the inside lid is a manufacturers label with an engraved drawing of the factory.  The factory is centered with advertisement text.  On the label there is written in pencil “1874.” Since the design of these instruments didn’t change too much through the mid 1800s, this is most likely an early model that was purchased in 1874.  The compass face measure 5 ½”. There is also a star designating North, and points for South, East, and West.  Also, across the face, in hand etched script handwriting, is “W & L.E GURLEY TROY NY.” The front and rear sight veins move smoothly and secure.  Bubble tubes are complete, full, and functional.  Both outer ring and locking lever screw are functional.  There is a faint metric ruler on the outer degree ring.

Very fine piece for anyone interested in technological innovations of the time period.  [mk] [ph:L]

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