Description

Gurley Vernier Transit Compasses (VTC) do not come up for sale often. Gurley called this transit different things – the VTC, the Vernier Transit and the Transit Compass. I like VTC.

A Gurley VTC is essentially a Gurley vernier compass but with a telescope instead of sight vanes. The key thing to look for – a VTC lacks a horizontal circle. The early Gurley manuals describe how much better a VTC is than a comparable vernier compass with sight vanes – see the pics at the bottom of this webpage for all the reasons why Gurley says a VTC is better.

What’s really cool about this Gurley VTC – the buyer purchased optional sights from Gurley for the top of the telescope. I’ve had a couple of instruments that had these optional sight vanes, but I’ve never seen them on top of a VTC before. I think the added sight vanes add a lot of pop to an instrument. This VTC would look great on display.

To really appreciate this VTC, please take a look at the 360 Degree Spinner for this instrument.

I believe this VTC was is Circa 1885, This VTC has a 5 inch needle, and the optics are pretty sharp. Crosshairs and stadia wires are present. Both level liquid vials hold liquid. The needle lifter works as well.

The VTC is missing its leveling base and box. There is a heavy replacement base shown in the pics – that comes with the VTC.

The Vernier mechanism is a little sticky and needs oiling. The gear on the vernier thumbscrew seems to be missing a few teeth, and the vernier mechanism does not seem to have a full range of motion. I suspect somebody tried to force the sticky mechanism at some point and broke a few gear teeth. The full range of motion might return if you oil the mechanism before turning the gears.

The Compass comes with an interesting compass turntable base, as shown in one of the pics below.

Gurley VTC’s were not hot-sellers back in the day. For example, in 1885, Gurley sold a total of 204 transits but only 11 of the 204 were VTCs. Most surveyors who wanted a transit opted for a higher priced but more functional instrument (one that could measure independently of the needle). Whatever the reason, Gurley VTC’s do not come up for sale very often, and command a meaningful premium when the do. A nice Gurley VTC sold at a Skinner auction for nearly $2100 in 2019, for example (Skinner calls the instrument a Reconnaissance Transit, but the instrument is clearly a VTC).

I have a good deal of information about Gurley, including some production information, posted on my Gurley Maker Webpage.

My VTC is a very sharp looking instrument with a lot of eye appeal thanks to the added optional sights.  Please take a look at the 360 Degree View of this Gurley VTC.