Antique HELLER & BRIGHTLY, PHILAD, USA Surveyor's Brass Transit, Made in 1888

Description

Here we have an
Antique HELLER & BRIGHTLY, PHILAD Surveyor's Brass Transit.
Charles S. Heller (1839–1912) was born in Germany, and moved with his family to the United States in the late 1840s. He went to work for William J. Young in 1855, and became a partner in William J. Young & Co. in 1865. Charles H. Brightly (1817–1897) was born in England, arrived in the United States in the 1830s, and worked as a machinist in Philadelphia before going into partnership with Heller and the firm of Heller & Brightly was founded in 1870.
Heller & Brightly was a traditional craft workshop. There were only a few employees at any one time, working in workshops spread around the US. Each could produce an entire instrument, and each was reasonably well paid. They produced some 100 instruments per year from 1870 to 1887. Annual production rose to 216 instruments in 1891.
This is a nice instrument with a 7-1/2". telescope with adjustable focus and clear optics. The scope has a lens cover. The transit is in Very good working condition and has not been polished.  Nice aged-brass patina. There is a large spirit bubble level suspended from the scope.  The bubble vial is intact and in working condition.  The base of the instrument holds a 3-1/2" diameter compass.  The compass dial has a needle lift feature. The dial face has the company name and location and Serial No. 6075 (company records indicate this transit was manf'd in 1888).  The A-Frame supports have locking features and a fine adjustment for tilting the scope. There are two additional bubble levels around the base and they are in full operation.  It has a chamfered horizontal scale with fine adjustment knob and magnifier.  The base has 4 working finely milled brass leveling adjustment wheels.  The instrument is housed in a fitted mahogany wood box/case which was made for a Lallie Transit, but it is a close fit for this instrument. The case has some minor dings and an old partial age-related crack on the lid surface.  The case has excellent brass hinges, 2 hook closures, and a leather carrying strap.  There is a brass lock, but no key. The Mahogany box/case is 12-1/2"H x 10" x 7".  The transit has a few accessories:  a plumb bob, a sunshade, screwdriver, etc.  This is a heavy instrument weighing in at approx. 12-1/2 lbs. (UNPACKED! ).  It will be securely packaged for shipment which will add several more lbs.
I offer FREE LOCAL PICKUP !
Note: Shipping cost quote is for PA to CA.  If you live closer to me in PA shipping should be less.
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