Found this in my great grandpas basement


Notes say it was his grandfathers. Says he laid out Clay County Mo.

I may try to do some research on that matter.

No pics of legs yet but they are there too. Note says he also but those.


May set 'er up later.

That's really interesting.

VERY interesting, and great historical artifact.

Do you have any close up pictures? I'd like to see them if you do.

I will get some when I go back later this week. I am wanting to set it up and get some fresh pics.

Somewhere around here I have pics of them using it in the early '70s when my great grandpa built his new house.

Here is a pic of it in action. From a few items in the background it looks like sometime in the '60s.

I cropped pic and tried getting in closer.

screengrab

Kind of looks like a Rittenhouse compass. That center metal disk isn't a cap with a compass under it, is it?

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_747273

Could be, I will check this weekend.

Holy Bejeezus! Thats a circumferonator! Like supersave said! Check and see if it’s a Rittenhouse.

My great great grandfathers is in our local historical society museum. Its not a Rittenhouse. He was county surveyor here in late 1850’s. My reenacting persona is that of a surveyor. We use a reproduction of a Rittenhouse. I know where there are two more reproductions around here. They are in these photos.

Here’s ours



We use a Vara chain here. Measurements in a Spanish vara.

Btw, they were also used with a single legged device called a Jacob’s Staff as well as a typical tripod.

You can see all three local Rittenhouse reproduction circumferonators in this pic at a demo at San Felipe de Austin State Historic site last year. Reproductions are muy expensive! One is owned by the historic site.

How's about a Rittenhouse Potts??

Cool stuff, gents!

nearby or near by

PM sent!

Im not sure, but appears a later Vernier model like circa 1800-1830ish. Folks you wrote will be able to tell you for sure! You are very very lucky!

Hopefully so. What I have found is Potts only worked with Rittenhouse from 1796-1798, that could be wrong though.

Anxiously awaiting the return email or that phone call.