CECIL E. HANSON COLLECTION
ANTIQUE SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS

AMERICAN LEVELS

W. & L. E. Gurley - Troy, NY, ca.1909

Serial Number: 5487(?) - Number on paper tag, not on instrument
Type: Wye Level
Telescope Length: 20"
Spirit level Length: 7-1/2"
Height: 8-1/2"
Base Diameter: 4-1/2"
Weight: Instrument - 13lb; Instrument + wooden case - 21-1/2lb
Condition: Very good. Shows some wear from use. Nice patina
Box: Wooden in good condition. 21"1/2" x 10" x 5"
Found: Not known
CEH Inventory# L11

This instrument looks to be in good, working condition. The telescope focuses and crosshairs are present. No serial number could be found on the instrument. However, there was a date, 7-8-09, hand etched on the underside of the base (see picture), that is likely in the year it was manufactured. For many instruments made after 1908, Gurley started assigning a serial number where the first two digits represented the year of manufacture. However, not all levels followed this scheme The Gurley card pasted to the inside top of the case has a number (5487) stamped on it. Possibly this is a serial number that Gurley assigned to this level, but the "5" probably doesn't represent "1905" as the year of manufacture. The 1908 Gurley Catalog has a picture of their 20-Inch No. 326 Y Level, which is appears to be identical to this instrument. So the manufacturing year is likely 1909, as indicated by the hand engraving on the base. "Cardwell Blue Print & Supply Co." in Denver, CO (see the blue card tacked to the inside top of the case) is likely the seller of this instrument.