Surveyors Compass from 1800s by Andrew Meneely Railroad compass Start Price USD 500.00 Current Price USD 1,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 4 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, July 24, 2008 End Time Sunday, August 03, 2008 Location Saint Helena, California See more about 'Surveyors Compass from 1800s by Andrew Meneely' Description This is a fine example of a large brass Surveyor's Compass made by the Andrew Meneely foundry in West Troy, NY.  In researching the date of manufacture, I have found that it was made either a few years prior to 1836 or shortly after 1838.  During that two year gap, all similar instruments from this company were labeled Meneely and Oothout.  Andrew Meneely was born in 1802, apprenticed under Julius Hanks of West Troy to learn the trade of casting bells and manufacturing of mathematical instruments.  He  later started his own company as the Andrew Meneely Co.  An identical compass sold at auction in New York in 2006 and was listed as having been manufactured in 1834.  My compass has a "No 1620" scribed on the dial and the compass sold in 2006 had a number of "No. 1636" so I believe that it was manufactured at that same time period.  A similar compass is in the hands of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History that was made in 1837 (during the time the company was Meneely and Oothout).  You can see this compass by checking: www.americanhistory.si.edu/collections/surveying/object.cfm?recordnumber=745674 .  As you can see from my pictures, it is in a wooden box covered with some kind of fabric and is complete with the mounting post swivel and both sighting vanes.  The two levels do not have liquid in them, the original glass was broken and replaced with a piece of plexiglass and there is a slight dent in the ring surrounding the main body of the compass.  The box is somewhat aged but hinges and clasp are all functional.  The overall length is 16 inches, the dial face is 6 1/2 inches in diameter.  The compass and mounting base weigh 11 pounds and are made totally of brass...even including all the screws in brass.  For an instrument that is nearly 175 years old, it is in remarkable shape and will make a wonderful addition to someones collection.  Please email me with any questions you might have and I will do the best I can to answer them.  Place a Bid!