Item SUR1 - Buff & Berger (Boston) Engineer’s
Dumpy Level.
This
older dumpy level is marked “Buff & Berger / Boston” on its level rule on one
side and with the serial number 1604 on the other. This corresponds, I believe,
to a manufacturing date in the year 1890. The instrument is housed in what
appears to be its original dovetailed mahogany case, sans the carrying strap.
The telescope length is 17 ¼ inches. The level bubble is larger than normal,
and needs a fluid addition. The optics are clear and sharp although some dirt
of the lenses should be cleaned. I cannot see stadia, if the instrument had
them (stadia are listed as an “extra” for this instrument in the 1897 Buff &
Berger catalogue. The instrument is finished with Buff & Berger’s “Cloth
Finish” and the uncoated brass surfaces have not been polished. The instrument
comes with its lens cover, sun shade, and multi-tool consisting of a screw
driver spanner wrench and hex nut wrench. There is a faded label on the inside
cover of the box that is headed as “L. Berger & Sons / successors to Buff &
Berger.” This level may have been in stock until after the break up of Buff &
Berger about 1898, or the label could have been added later during a factory
reconditioning. It is a collectible instrument. Good+
Price - $200.00
RETURN to forsale list.