CECIL E. HANSON COLLECTION
ANTIQUE SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS

FOREIGN TRANSITS AND THEODOLITES

Kern - Aarau, Switzerland, ca. 1915
(Sold on EBay - 12/10/2023)

Serial Number: 21399
Type: Theodolite
Telescope Length: 8"
Telescope Level Length: 3"
Diameter of Horizontal Circle: 5-1/2"
Needle Length: 3"
Diameter of Vertical Arc: 3-1/2"
Height: 11-1/4"
Weight: 21 lb (incld case and accessories)
Accessories: Lens cap, hood, plumb bob, brush, magnifying glass, box key, misc. small tools
Box: Yes - 14-1/2" x 10" x 8"
Condition: Very Good
Found: October 19, 1966 (Probably acquired from Buff & Buff, Boston)
CEH Inventory# FT4

Based on the serial number this instrument was manufactured around 1915 (Click Here). Appears to be the same model as FT27. The only difference observed was color of some of the knobs.

"Kern & Co. was founded in 1819 by Jakob Kern in Aarau, Switzerland. Jakob Kern initially produced drawing instruments. The first theodolite was produced in 1824. The company grew steadily over the years, however after the First World War a poor economy and competition from the Wild company led to business difficulties. The beginning of a new era for Kern began in 1937 when Heinrich Wild started working for the company. Heinrich had left Wild, the company he founded, in 1932 - he cared little about the business side of the company and wanted to be able to work as a freelance designer and inventor. While working with Kern, Heinrich applied his knowledge designing instruments to compete with those produced by the Wild company. With Heinrich’s help, Kern once again became one of the largest manufacturers of surveying instruments worldwide." (From https://www.alsa.ab.ca/Governance/Weekly-News/View/ArticleId/2057/ALS-News-Kern-170-Years-of-History-1)

Click Here for a timeline history of the company.