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This sale is for an Antique B. L. Makepeace Surveyor\'s Transit in original wood box with key.
This came from an estate sale in New Hampshire.
The box measures 14 1/4\" tall, 8\" wide and almost 9 1/4\" deep. Box has wear, marks, scratches, dents and dings from age and use. There is a corner edge broken away and missing from the back right side from top to bottom. It doesn\'t affect the box as far as being enclosed around the transit inside. Box features a leather carrying strap on top, I am not sure if this is the original strap or a later version. It will hold the box and can be carried by it, but it does have cracks and wear from age and use. Hinged door on front features a hook that holds the door closed, looks like it had two hooks, one is missing,and also a lock, which the key is included for. It fits the lock and turns it to lock and unlock it. Also on the door there is a small metal tag, not sure if this is brass or another metal, but it is at the top and reads:
B.L. Makepeace INC
Manufacturers of
Surveying and Nautical
Instruments. (then there is a serial number of 3048, which matches the number on the transit)
Boston, Mass
This small tag has wear and patina.
Inside the box is the transit and it is on a sliding piece of wood that fits into a notched out section at bottom allowing it to be slid in and out of the box. The transit itself seems to consist of brass and another metal alloy, not sure what metal it is. I had a local surveyor check out the transit and he stated it was in great shape for its age. It comes with a metal sleeve that I was told is put on the transit to cut down on glare. It also has a small Bausch and Lomb folding magnifying glass that is used to read the various small measurement windows. Eyepiece has a removable cover. Inside the compass it is marked B.L. Makepeace Boston and the serial number that matches the one on the tag of the box, 3048. The transit metal has wear, marks and patina from age and use. The surveyor I contacted about it stated it could use a good cleaning, but I will leave that up to the buyer. The transit does come off of the piece of wood it is on so it can be mounted on a tripod. No tripod is included. Also on the inside of the door where the magnifying glass is held, there is another spot that would have held a plumb bob that would be used with the transit, but this is missing and not included. Inside of the box on the bottom when the transit is slid out there are what looks like water marks/stains. Inside of the box has wear and marks from age and use as well.
A great piece of engineering history for any transit collector! A great conversation piece!
This is being sold as is, untested. Buyer assumes all responsibility and uses this at their own risk and discretion. Seller will not be held responsible and seller makes no claims to functionality, compatibility, useor safety of this item.
I will only ship to lower 48 states.
Please ask any questions and view all pictures before offerding! No returns are accepted! Sold as to \'s policy changes I can only accept Paypal as payment, no exceptions! offer with confidence-check my response! Payment is due within2 days of sale ending, and I will ship within 2 days of receiving payment. I do not ship to Canada or overseas! United States shipping only! Any violation of these terms voids the sale and item will be relisted. Please remember to give positive response when satisfied and I will do the same. Good luck and thanks for