W & L. E. GURLEY Compass in Wood Box Engineer Surveyor TROY, N. Y. Needs Repair

Description: Please take the time to read through my entire item description and view all the photographs. I consistently prepare accurate and detailed descriptions and provide clear close up photographs and video when appropriate for all my listings. The aforementioned notwithstanding, note the photos are still the biggest and most important part of this or any description. As the old saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words". If you would like additional photos or have specific questions just message me and I will respond ASAP. For your consideration is this genuine ANTIQUE late 1890’s to early 1900’s W & L. E. GURLEY, Troy, N. Y., U.S.A. engineer’s surveyor compass in a beautifully crafted hinged wood box case. Note; this compass is being offered for repair and/or display purposes only in that the compass face is missing the internal directional needle. As a matter of full disclosure, the round glass lens cover is not secured and inasmuch can easily be removed as illustrated in description photos #10, #11 and #12. Apparently, sometime in the past, when the glass cover was removed the noted directional needle had accidentally fallen out and was subsequently lost. To that end, the compass is no longer functional as designed in its current condition. The aforementioned notwithstanding, the compass still presents well and makes a beautiful display piece among your antiques and collectibles. The beautiful wood box case the compass is built inside weighs approximately 5.0+ ounces by itself and measures approximately 3.50” wide, 3-5/8” deep and 1.0” high. The internal calibrated dial face measures approximately 3.0” in diameter. Refer to description photos #19, #20, #21, #22 and #23 to confirm the weight and size dimensions and for more details about what I have described. The round cut glass cover remains in overall good condition but does have a few minor “flea bites” and/or small chips around the outer perimeter as can be verified in description photos #10, #11 and #12. The largest of the noted chips measures approximately 5/16” in length and is depicted in description photo #12. Refer to the description photos for more details about what I have described. The compass dial remains clean and in good condition with normal signs of honest age and toning. All the calibrated numbers and small degree lines remain easily readable. The face is clearly imprinted with the Gurley Company name and location as shown below. Refer to description photos #2, #3, #4, #9 and #13 for more details about what I have described. “W. & L. E. GURLEY” “TROY, N. Y., U. S. A.” The wood box case is in very good condition with no damage. The wood grain looks beautiful and the brass hardware is all securely fitted and functional. The lid has a fitted brass piano hinge and properly opens and closes as designed. The lid latches securely closed with a small brass sliding lock mechanism as is depicted in description photos #1, #8, #10 and #15. The underside of the wood case top lid features a thin white line that runs vertically down the center indicating “true north”. As can be confirmed in description photos #2, #5, #6 and in the upper right corner on the underside of the wood case lid is printed with an approximate 1-5/16” square consisting of a total of 36 smaller 3/16” inner squares that are printed with numbers ranging from 1 to 36 that run right to left. Refer to close-up photos#5, #6 and #18 for more details about the numbered squares. Overall, if you are looking for an authentic antique W. & L. E. GURLEY engineer’s survey compass for either repair or simply to use as a static display among your antique collectibles this is the piece you are looking for. I have included a brief history of the W & L. E. Gurley Company below for your further review and consideration. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE “The W. and L.E. Gurley Company was founded in Troy in 1845. William Gurley, and his younger brother Lewis E., were both engineering graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, (RPI) in Troy. The brothers would have been looked at as techno-geeks of their time, specializing in the invention and manufacture of precision instruments. Their factory, established in 1852, was ahead of its time. It operated by departments, with each department producing the different components, which were then assembled. Most of the other instrument companies of the day did not work like that – each workman produced each individual instrument, which took much longer and cost more. Gurley was able to still maintain their high quality, yet charge only half as much as the competition. The W. and L.E. Gurley Building in Troy at 514 Fulton Street, in downtown Troy, was built in 1862. Originally, the ground floor held retail establishments, and the third and fourth floors were rented to other manufacturers, but the company soon expanded to take up the entire building. The handsome structure is U-shaped around a courtyard, allowing natural light into the factory spaces on both sides. A foundry was once located on the ground level on the north side. Gurley manufactured instruments and military products for the Union Army during the Civil War. By the early 20th century, they were also making thermometers and other testing equipment. They contributed precise instrumentation for both World Wars and began manufacturing gyroscopes, sextants, star trackers and precision guidance equipment for guided missiles and space exploration during the Cold War and beyond. Today, they are best known for their optical encoders, which are used to measure and control speed for medical instrumentation, electronics, robotics and more. They are also leaders in hydrological instruments, paper testing instruments and precision optographic instruments. The precision of their products has led to two standard units of measure called “Gurley units.” The company was acquired by Teledyne in 1968, but was later sold and is now Gurley Precision Instruments, still located on the ground floor of the Gurley Building in Troy, as well as in the building across the street. The rest of the building holds RPI’s Lighting Research Center and other school offices and labs”.Please look at the description photos closely as they accurately depict the antique W. & L. E. GURLEY engineer’s survey compass I describe and show exactly what you will receive if you purchase this beautifully crafted antique compass. If you have any questions or concerns about the compass please email me and I will respond ASAP. ATTENTION SPECIAL NOTE Since the glass lens cover over the face of the compass is not secured in place, I will ship the compass with a piece of blue painter’s tape across the class. Nevertheless, please use caution when unwrapping and removing the compass from the shipping box. Before opening the case, be extra careful as to prevent the glass lens cover from accidentally falling out and being shattered or damaged. The compass will ship from Texas zip code 77362 via USPS Ground Advantage safely secured inside a 6.0" x 6.0" x 4.0" cardboard box weighing between approximately 12.0 and 13.0 ounces after packaging. Buyer pays true shipping cost, if you would like to estimate shipping to your home zip code you can enter the aforementioned shipping information into either the USPS or eBay postal calculator program. PLEASE LOOK AT THE OTHER ITEMS I CURRENTLY HAVE LISTED, AND CONTINUE TO LIST, ON EBAY. THANKS!

Price: 14.99 USD

Location: Pinehurst, Texas

End Time: 2024-11-07T02:51:55.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD