STANDARD - Survey Instrument Antique Center!

The Finish.
It is a well-known fact that the black lacquer finish has one objection, It absorbs
the heat readily, and therefore is apt to expand an instrument unequally, and thereby
derange its adjustments. We therefore consider it necessary to finish certain parts of
an instrument in a bright but not glaring finish including the upper plate and the
telescope in the transit the cross-bar in the ; wye level, etc. All other portions may be
finished and bronzed before lacquering. This finish gives a very fine appearance to the
whole instrument.
Customers desiring to have their instruments finished entirely in a dark metal color,
can do so by notifying us of their wishes.
Our Wear Resisting Leather Finish.
The principle is borrowed from astronomical instruments, where it is necessary to
cover the surfaces with some non-conducting material in order to avoid disturbances
in instrumental adjustments caused by suddenly varying temperatures.
We have adopted this principle with the view of securing the same results for our
transits, wye and dumpy levels. Some of these levels are sensitive to a depression of
a single second of arc.
The exterior surfaces of our instruments so finished have the appearance of being
covered with Morocco leather of a smooth and even texture. Its close-grained surface
has a most agreeable and soft pliable touch to the hand, and eliminates the disagreeable
feeling experienced when metallic surfaces are touched in very cold temperatures
or in the tropics.
Instruments finished in this manner heat up or cool down very gradually, causing a
minimum derangement of the adjustments, and being a very dark color this finish
unites all the advantages of bright lacquer finishes, with the convenience ot having a
dark colored instrument for use in the field, where it does not dazzle the eye of the observer
in the strongest sunlight.
Parts so treated can be handled with impunity. This finish is impervious to dampness
and dryness, or mine and salt water. Dust and dirt can be washed off and candle
grease readily removed. Neither will it fade, nor crack, being wholly unlike the antiquated
cloth finish introduced by our senior member in 1871. It is, indeed, entirely
in strict keeping with our products.
It is difficult to determine the wearing qualities of leather and cloth finishes of scientific
instruments. A good finish must withstand the hard usage of years. The
leather finish as applied to our instruments was thoroughly tested for a number of years
before being applied to instruments sent out on orders.
As regards durability, it is quite equal to the bright metal finish, and is superior to
bronze or black metal finished surfaces. This, coupled with the fact that it can be
restored at any time, same as the cloth finish formerly applied by us (to which latter it
is incomparably superior), enables us to unite many parts of an instrument into one
piece or casting and thereby secure greater rigidity, lightness and a more elegant appearance
than hitherto attained in the instruments of this class as commonly designed
and finished. The cloth finish heretofore applied will be used only to a very limited
extent.
Packing.
In putting our instruments in their cases, none of them separate above the leveling
screws. They stand erect, and are ready for use upon unlocking the case.
The cases are provided with rubber cushions, to check severe jarring arising from
transportation over rough roads.