Abney reflecting level and clinometer
Date: circa 1925
Inventory Number: 2004-1-0349
Classification: Level
Subject:
Maker: Eugene Dietzgen Company (1885-present)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
5 × 12.5 × 3 cm (1 15/16 × 4 15/16 × 1 3/16 in.)
leather case: 6 × 13.5 × 3 cm (2 3/8 × 5 5/16 × 1 3/16 in.)
Accessories: rectangular brown leather case
DescriptionBrass sighting tube with clinometer and bubble level attached.
The sighting tube is square in cross-section, with a round eyepiece with knurling. A brass ring is attached to the top of the tube at the eyepiece end.
Bolted to the left side of the tube is a semicircular clinometer. The scales are in exposed brass. The outer scale has values descending from 90 to 0, then ascending from 0 to 90. The shorter, inner scale is marked "GRADIENT" and has values ranging from "1to1" to 10 to 0, then from 0 to 10 to "1to1".
Attached to the top center of the clinometer is a three-piece construction consisting of a two concentric knurled knobs, a hanging vernier scale, and a spirit level.
The wheel and the hanging scale are on the scale side of the clinometer. The scale, with values descending from 60 to 0, then ascending from 0 to 60, meets the lower scale on the clinometer to form a vernier scale. To the right of the scale, an index line marked "0" meets the upper scale on the clinometer.
The spirit level tube sits on top of a Y-shaped against the opposite side of the clinometer. The tube has a single oval window with a brass pin to either side. A mirror in the sighting tube, visible through an oval cutout directly below the spirit level tube, allows the user to see the position of the bubble through the sighting tube.
The instrument is stored in a rectangular brown leather case. The case is cracked up one seam, and is missing its flap.
The sighting tube is square in cross-section, with a round eyepiece with knurling. A brass ring is attached to the top of the tube at the eyepiece end.
Bolted to the left side of the tube is a semicircular clinometer. The scales are in exposed brass. The outer scale has values descending from 90 to 0, then ascending from 0 to 90. The shorter, inner scale is marked "GRADIENT" and has values ranging from "1to1" to 10 to 0, then from 0 to 10 to "1to1".
Attached to the top center of the clinometer is a three-piece construction consisting of a two concentric knurled knobs, a hanging vernier scale, and a spirit level.
The wheel and the hanging scale are on the scale side of the clinometer. The scale, with values descending from 60 to 0, then ascending from 0 to 60, meets the lower scale on the clinometer to form a vernier scale. To the right of the scale, an index line marked "0" meets the upper scale on the clinometer.
The spirit level tube sits on top of a Y-shaped against the opposite side of the clinometer. The tube has a single oval window with a brass pin to either side. A mirror in the sighting tube, visible through an oval cutout directly below the spirit level tube, allows the user to see the position of the bubble through the sighting tube.
The instrument is stored in a rectangular brown leather case. The case is cracked up one seam, and is missing its flap.
Signedengraved on clinometer attachment, bottom right: DIETZGEN
Inscribedengraved on clinometer attachment, to left of top scale: GRADIENT
FunctionFor use in calculating the angle of depression or elevation between two points.
The user stands at one point and sights a rod target or other indicator atthe second point. Then he turns the wheel until the spirit level's bubble, as viewed through the sighting tube, is centered. The corresponding reading on the clinometer gives the angle of depression or elevation.
The user stands at one point and sights a rod target or other indicator atthe second point. Then he turns the wheel until the spirit level's bubble, as viewed through the sighting tube, is centered. The corresponding reading on the clinometer gives the angle of depression or elevation.
Primary SourcesCatalog of Eugene Dietzgen Co. 13 (Chicago, 1928), 442.
ProvenancePrivate Donor, Troy New York, 2004.