[Home] [Serial Numbers] [Patents] [Brunton Evolution] [Von Bitter Article] [Spotting Fakes] [Links]

 Brunton Serial Number / Feature Comparison Table

A comparison table of serial numbers and features observed online to be used as  an aid to determining age.

Index of Manufacturers:  [Ainsworth] [Alpha] [Automatics_Ltd] [Brunson] [Brunton] [Denver_Geodetic] [Dietzgen] [GeoSurvey] [Hilger&Watts] [Kalart] [K&E] [Leeway] [Lietz] [Lutz] [Negretti&Zambra] [Nishina] [Sokkia] [Tamaya]

[Acknowledgements]

I began this page as a way to help me assign approximate dates to various pocket transits as they came up for  sale on ebay. Any assistance that you  can give in filling in some of the blanks would be most helpful, both to me, as well as to other Brunton collectors. Some  of the blank areas in the table are features that I did not observe at the time,  or features that I could not observe due to the information available.

Dates: I describe the dates in one of three ways. A date followed by a plus sign (+) indicates a beginning date of a possibly open ended range. For example, a Brunton which  has an engraved patent number will give us a date that the unit cannot be older than. Obviously, if a patent was  assigned in 1914, and the patent date or patent number is engraved on the unit, it could not have been made in 1894. A second method is a date by itself. This occurs only when a date is firmly established by an engraved date or date code. A third  method is a pair of years, which gives a possible range of dates. This occurs in the Brunton Company line, for example: We know the Brunton Company was established in 1972, and we know that  they changed their serial numbering system in 1985. Therefore any units with an older serial number type must have been manufactured between 1972 and 1985.

Abbreviations:I have used some abbreviations in order to make the table more manageable.

• Body Codes: 2 letter  material, optional 3 letter finish
• Al: Polished Aluminum
• Al/Blk:  Aluminum, Black paint
• Al/Grn:  Aluminum, Green paint
• Al/Brn:  Aluminum, Brown paint
• Al/Gra:  Aluminum, Gray paint
• Co/Wht:  Composite, White
• Co/Grn:  Composite, Green
• Level Codes
• 1L: 1 Long Level
• 2L: 2 Long Levels
• 1L1R: 1 Long Level, 1 Round Level
• 1L1R/Y: 1  Long Level, 1 Round Level, Yellow "High Visibility" fluid
• Graduations: I will be  describing the graduations as "D" for Degrees, "Q" for Quadrants, and "M" for Mils. Unless otherwise noted, "Degree" scales are from 0-360 counter-clockwise, marked every 10 degrees with tick-marks at each degree. "Quadrant" scales are from 0-90 in each quadrant, marked every 10 degrees, with tick-marks at each degree. "Mil" scales are from 0-6400, marked every 200  mils, with tick-marks at each 20 mils.
• Q: Quadrants
• D: Degrees
• M: Mils
• Clinometer Codes:Clinometer scales are marked in Degrees, grade, and Mils. Later  models may have more than one scale, so I've noted the number of scales, and  the number of supporting arms. Degree clinometer graduations are every 10 degrees with tick-marks by degree. A vernier scale is usually located on the swinging arm which is graduated with tick-marks every 10 minutes. Grade scales are marked every 20%, with tick marks every 5%. Mil clinometer graduations are marked every 200 mils, and there does not appear to be a vernier on most models. The codes are in the format: 2 characters arm type, 2 characters scale type, 1 or 2 characters graduations. Note that on models with more than one clinometer scale, the position of the letter denotes which scale is on top as  the scale is being read.
• 1A1SG: 1 arm, 1  scale, grade
• 1A1SD: 1 arm, 1  scale, degrees
• 1A1SF: 1 arm, 1  scale, fractions (grade)
• 1A2SDG: 1 arm, 2 scales, Degrees over Grade
• 1A2SGD: 1 arm, 2 scales, Grade over Degrees
• 2A2SDG: 2 arms,  2 scales, Degrees over Grade
• 2A2SGD: 2 arms,  2 scales, Grade over Degrees
• Sights: I describe the  sight types as this is an important indicator especially in the Ainsworth line. The two sight types are "1 hole" or "2 hole". The "2 hole" sights are  the 'figure eight' or 'dual intersecting' sight holes. The code is 5 characters, where the first two describe the number of sights, the next two  describe the sight hole type, and the last character describes where the short sight (if present) folds.
• 1S1HN: 1 sight,  1 hole, None
• 2S1HO: 2 sights, 1 hole, Outside
• 2S1HI: 2 sights, 1 hole, inside: Common on K&E models
• 2S2HO: 2 sights, 2 hole, outside: Common on Ainsworths
• 2S2HI: 2 sights, 2 hole, inside: Late models by Ainsworth and nearly all "Brunton Company"  models

I have also begun abbreviating "Induction" as  "Ind".

Wm.  Ainsworth

William Ainsworth was a watch and instrument maker in Denver CO. I'll leave most of the history of this company to this link, but will note that it may be possible to date early Bruntons with the name variations of the company, however, there is  some discrepancy regarding the dates of the name changes. According to NAMH, in 1905 "Wm. Ainsworth" became "Wm. Ainsworth and Son". According the Robert A. Paselk Scientific Instrument Museum at Humbolt State University, the firm became "Wm. Ainsworth and Sons" in 1899, or shortly thereafter.

Index by Year: [ 1894 ] [ 1905] [ 1913 ] [ 1914 ] [ 1926 ] [ 1946 ] [ 1962 ]

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sight Type	Magnet/Needle	Damped	Grad	Slots	Engraving/Marks	Note
105	1894+	Al	1L	1A1SD	1S1HN	Steel, straight, no arrowheads	No			Hand engraved on lid: D.W.Brunton's Patent Sept.18 1894 Wm.Ainsworth MAKER DENVER, COLO.	#105 is currently held in the collection of Jerry Mohlman, Gwinn, MI. This unit has the engraved star indicating north on the mirror hinge side of the face.
254	1894+	Al	1L	1A1SD	1S1HN	Steel, straight, no arrowheads	None			Same as #105	This unit has the engraved star indicating north on the mirror hinge side of the face.
404	1894+	Al	1L	1A1SD	1S1HN	Steel, straight, arrowheads at each end, not as  slender as other Bruntons of this age. Probably a repair/replacement needle.	None	Q	None	Same as #105	#404 has the engraved star indicating north on  the mirror hinge side of the face. Sold on eBay June 2004, $698.88 (yes,  that is not a typo, six-hundred and ninety-eight)
614	1894-1905	Al	1L	1A1SD	1S1HN	Straight steel, no arrowheads	None			Same as #105 with additional engraving: "H.S. Crocker Co San  Francisco Dal. Agents"	#614 was offered for sale on eBay February 2004, Item 3273329151, but the auction was cancelled before it completed. First reversed face: #614 is the  earliest unit (so far) with the reversed face and north on the long sight side typical of all Brunton Pocket Transits to follow.
904	1894-1905	Al	2L	1A1SD	1S1HN	Straight steel, no arrowheads	None	Q	Present	Same as #105	#904 is currently held in the collection of Jerry Mohlman. The mounting grooves may have been retrofitted on this unit, as  some later units lack this feature.
2270	1905-1911	Al	1L	1A1SD	1S1HN	Straight steel, no arrowheads	No	Q		Hand engraved on lid as follows: D.W. Brunton’s Patent Sept. 18-1894 Wm. Ainsworth and Sons SOLE MANUFACTURERS Denver,Colo.USA	#2270 Auctioned on eBay April 2005, opening at $225. Face is unpainted Al, with black lettering. Date is based on the name change of the company. Pictures: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
3387	1905-1911	Al	1L	1A1SD	1S1HN	Straight steel, no arrowheads	None	Q		Same as #2270	#3387 is currently held in the collection of Dr. John Gilbert, Adelaide Australia. Picture1, Picture2
3585	1905-1911	Al	2L	1A1SD	1S1HN	Straight steel needle, no arrowhead at either  end. I cannot distinguish N from S in the picture.	None	Q		Same as #2270	Face is unpainted Al, with black lettering on the clinometer scale. An image of this unit was seen on the Gemmary website, in their section discussing the features of genuine Brunton Pocket Transits. I strongly suggest you read their entire F-Files section. Date is based on company name change.
3643	1905-1911	Al	1L	1A1SD	1S1HN	Vertical bar steel, no arrowheads.	None	Q	none	Same as #2270	#3585 auctioned on eBay  February 2005.  Body and mirror in good condition, but front sight bent badly. Pictures: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
3713	1905-1911	Al	1L	1A1SD	1S1HN	Straight steel needle, no arrowhead at either  end.	None	Q		Same as #2270	Offered for sale on eBay, April 2004, Item 3290028885, opening at $400, no bids. Relisted May 2004, item 3292251505, Relisted March 2005, Item 6164459605, opening bid of $200.
4677	1905-1911	Al	2L		2S1HO	Straight steel needle, no arrowheads	None	Q	Diag.	Same as #2270	#4677 is currently held in the collection of  Jerry Mohlman, Gwinn, MI. This unit displays a mix of features that illustrates the difficulty in assigning accurate dates to the early model  units. Either this unit was retrofitted with later innovations (the second level, milled slots in the diagonal faces, second short sight, etc) or  this unit was manufactured with those improvements before the patent was issued.
5315	1905-1911	Al	1L		1S1HN	Steel	None	Q	s/b diag	Engraved "George P. Moore Denver Colorado"	Auctioned on eBay December 2003, $222.00 #5315 is currently held in the collection of Jerry  Mohlman, Gwinn, MI. NOTE: First machine engraved unit on record Pictures: [1]
6507	1911-1912	Al	2L	1A1SD	2S1HO	Steel	None	Q	diag	Pat. Sept 18, 1894 Other Patents Pending	Auctioned on eBay February 05, $236.57 with tripod (older spring type) and leather carrying case. #6507 is currently held in the collection of W. Hudson, Gilroy, CA Pictures: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
68xx	1913-1914	Al	2L		2S1HO	Steel	None	Q	s/b present	Pat. May 27.13	#68xx is currently held in the collection of Dan  Flanders
71xx	1914-1926	Al	2L	1A1SD	2S2HO	Steel needle, arrowhead at north end only,  arrowhead painted white.	None	Q	s/b present	Machine engraved on lid: D.W.Brunton's Pat.Sept.18 1894 Apr.14 1914 Wm.AINSWORTH & SONS. SOLE MANUFACTURERS PAT.OCT.22,12, MAY 27,13 DENVER COLO.U.S.A. OTHER  PATS PNDG. 71XX (The last two digits of the  serial number were unreadable in the image.)	Face is unpainted Al with black lettering on the clinometer scale. An image of this unit can be seen on the Gemmary website.
7209	1914-1926	Al	2L	1A1SD	2S2HO	Steel needle, arrowhead at north end only,  arrowhead painted white.	None	Q	Sides	Same as #71xx	Offered for sale several times on eBay, May and  June 2004, unsold with high reserves ($300, $275)
8392	1914-1926	Al	2L	1A1SD	2S2HO	Steel needle, arrowhead at north end only,  arrowhead painted white.	None	Q	Sides	Same as #71xx	Sold on eBay September 2004, Item 2268582113.  VGC, no case. $157.50
8488	1914-1926	Al	2L	1A1SD	2S2HO	Steel needle, arrowhead at north end only,  arrowhead painted white.	None	Q	Sides	Same as #71xx	Currently held in the collection of J. Mohlman, Gwinn, MI.
9892	1914-1926	Al	2L	1A1SD	2S2HO	Steel needle, arrowhead at both ends.	None	Q	Sides	Same as #71xx with additional engraving "C. A. Barabe,  Iron River, Mich."	Sold on eBay, May 2004, Item 3292278850, $125,  currently held in the collection of J. Mohlman, Gwinn, MI.
10258	1914-1926	Al	2L	1A1SD	2S2HO	Steel needle, arrowhead at both ends	None	Q	Sides	Same as 71xx with the additional post-manufacturing  engraving "THE MIDWEST REFINING COMPANY" above the normal engraving, and  "DENVER" to the left of the S/N, and "COLO" to the right of the S/N	Sold on eBay, April 2004, #3287745127, $228.29
10646	1914-1926	Al				Steel	None				Auctioned on eBay, December 2003
14711	1914-1926	Al	2L	1A1SD	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q		Engraving identical to 71xx above, except for  serial number	Item resides in the Smithsonian National Museum of American  History
14539	1914-1926	Al	2L	1A1SD	2S2HO	Steel	None	D			Offered for sale by the Gemmary
17393	1926-1946	Al	2L	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q		Engraved as follows: D.W. Brunton's Pat.Sept 18, 1894 Wm.Ainsworth & Sons Sole Manufacturers Pat. Oct.22,12 May 27,13 Denver,Colo.U.S.A. Pat. July  20 1926	Auctioned on eBay, April 2004, Item 3288482294,  $271.50 This is an unusual unit, representing a transition between the  1914 and 1926 models. It has the ca. 1914 style crossed long levels, and yet has the 1926 patent date listed. According to an email from Jerry Mohlman, advertisements by the Wm. Ainsworth company published as late as 1929 offer the older 'crossed long level' style as an option. It is unknown exactly when the 'round level' entered production, but it was  certainly close to 1926. Pictures #1 Pictures #2 This unit is  currently held in the collection of William Hudson, Gilroy, CA
18101	1926-1946	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q		Same as 17393 with the addition of a 'Natural Tangents'  table surrounding the central engraving.	Listed in an article by Peter H.  von Bitter, published in Earth Sciences History, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1995
18158	1926-1946	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q			Offered for sale by the Gemmary
18598	1926-1946	Al	1L1R		2S2HO					all patent dates are shown on the cover up to  1926	#18598 is currently held in the collection of  Jerry Mohlman, Gwinn, MI.
19297	1926-1946	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	N/A				Auctioned on eBay May 2004, but unsold with zero bids, with a minimum bid of $100 on a reserve auction, Item 3292490206.  Relisted as item 3293693036, unsold at $66 with an undisclosed reserve.
19964	1926-1946	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel, white arrowhead on N end, black arrowhead  on S	None	Q	Sides	Same as 18598	Pictures: Lid with Engraving, Face, Unit on Tripod This unit sold  with tripod on eBay for $178.50
20106	1926-1946	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel, white arrowhead at N	None	Q		Same as 18598	Sold on eBay June 2004 Item: 6103662730 $114.50
20776	1926-1946	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel, white arrowhead at N	None	Q		Same as 18598	Appears to have quite a bit of discoloration, including what appears to be a stain caused by the vernier arm. Auctioned on eBay May 2004, Item 3291420228, $89.08
21762	1926-1946	Al								1894 and 1926 patent dates engraved on lid	#21762 is currently held in the collection of  Jerry Mohlman, Gwinn, MI.
22945	1926-1946 (ca. 1933)	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel, white arrowhead at N, black arrowhead at S	None	Q	Side		#22945 auctioned on ebay Jun 2004, Item 6104655201
23812	1926-1946	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None		Side	Engraved in center of lid: D.W. BRUNTON'S PAT. SEPT. 18, 1894 WM. AINSWORTH & SONS SOLE MANUFACTURERS DENVER,  COLO., U.S.A. Also engraved "Named Tangents" with tangents listed around center engraving	#23812 auctioned on ebay Jan 2004, missing long sight arm, cracked mirror. $41.00
24738	1926-1946	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q			Offered for sale by the Gemmary
27694	1926-1946	Al								All patent dates removed. The words "pocket  transit" appear above "Wm. Ainsworth & Sons" and the word "Manufacturers" replaced "sole manufacturers".	#27694 is currently held in the collection of  Jerry Mohlman, Gwinn, MI.
27xxx	1926-1946	Al/Brn	1L1R		2S2HO	Steel Needle	None	Q		Sines table, no patents listed	#27xxx is currently held in the collection of Dan  Flanders
28818	1926-1946 (1929?)	Al	1L1R		2S2HO	Steel	N/A		Sides	Indistinct in photographs.	1929 Date based on copyright in accompanying book. Auctioned on eBay Jan 2004, sold with tripod, case (broken), and swivel head for $152.50
29282	1926-1946	Al	1L1R		2S2HO	Steel	N/A	Q	Sides	"Natural Tangents" table	Auctioned on eBay Nov 2004 with leather case,  inscription in case "Alexander Javras", Item 3851305599
33702	1926-1946	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel Needle, white painted at North end, black otherwise.	None	Q	Sides	This unit has a "Natural Tangents" table instead  of "Natural Sines" as shown on later models.	Auctioned on eBay 6/25/04 $117.50 Pictures (provided by owner): [Lid] [Face] [Lever] [Open]
33805	1926-1946	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel Needle, white painted at North end, black otherwise.	None	Q	Sides	Engraved with original(?) owner's name "W.S. March Jr." on lid. Al plate attached to lid marked as follows: NATURAL SINES (Table of Sines  by degree from 1d to 45d) D.W.BRUNTON'S POCKET TRANSIT Wm. AINSWORTH  & SONS DENVER, COLO. MADE IN U.S.A.	#33805 offered for sale on eBay, February 2004, Item 3273522387, Sold at $102.50
36213	1926-1946	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel Needle, white painted at North end, black otherwise.	None	Q	Sides	Al plate attached to lid marked as follows: NATURAL SINES (Table of Sines by degree from 1d to 45d) D.W.BRUNTON'S POCKET TRANSIT Wm. AINSWORTH  & SONS DENVER, COLO. MADE IN U.S.A.	Currently held in the collection of W. Hudson,  Gilroy CA
37905	1926-1946	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	D			Auctioned on eBay, December 2003, item 258351782 $125.00
38189	1926-1946	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q	sides	Same markings as 36213 with the original  owner's initials "HCS" scratched into the reverse side, just above the  clinometer actuator arm. Good provenance on this item, as it was owned by the father (a working geologist) of the current owner who likely purchased  it new at the end of WW-II	Auctioned on eBay, July 2004 Item: 2256465915
40314	1946-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q	sides	Al. printed plate with "Natural Sines" table, no patents listed, marked as: D.W. Brunton's Trade Mark Reg.  U.S. Patent Off. Wm. Ainsworth & Sons Denver, Colo. Made in  U.S.A.	Note that  the trademark claim places the date of manufacture of this and all subsequent transits after 1946 Auctioned on eBay, April 2004, Item: 2238880920
40477	1946-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q	sides	Same as 40314	Auctioned on eBay, March 2004, Item: 3282123194 $122.50
43xxx	1946-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R		2S2HO	Steel	None	Deg		Same as 40314	Auctioned on eBay, December 2003, item 258351782 $125.00
54347	1946-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Deg	Sides	Same as 40314	Auctioned on eBay, March 2004, Item# 3803450666,  $135.50
56993	1946-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	D	Sides	Same as 40314	Auctioned on eBay, Jan 2004, sold for $200 Seller  referenced this site. Thanks!
64391	1946-1972	Al/Brn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	D		Same as 40314	Sold on eBay Aug 2004, Item 6115077033, VGC with ball-and-socket adaptor and leather case, $95.00.
65028	1946-1972	Al/Brn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q		Same as 40314	Item listed as sold by Oregon Trail Mercantile:  $145
66865	1946-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q	Sides	Same as 40314	Auctioned on eBay, Jan 2004, $137.50
74766	1946-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None	Q		Same as 40314	Item listed as sold by Oregon Trail Mercantile:  $145
75029	1946-1972  (1962?)	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None			Same as 40314	1962 Date is based on accompanying booklet.Sold on eBay, February 2004, Item 2596781586,  $129
76130	1962-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	Steel	None			Same as 40314	Sold on eBay, August 2004. VGC with leather case. Item 5117409197 $132.50
81716	1946-1972	Al				AlNiCo	None	D		Same as 40314	Auctioned on ebay, December 2003.
84625	1946-1972	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	AlNiCo	None	D			Auctioned on ebay, December 2003.
86210	1946-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO						Auctioned on ebay, Feb 2004, Item# 3272587062,  $117.75
89863	1946-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	AlNiCo	Ind	D		Same as 40314	Auctioned on ebay, December 2003, Item#  2582345539 $115.01
90xxx	1946-1972	Al/Gra	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	AlNiCo	Ind	D		Same as 40314	#90xxx is in the collection of Dan Flanders
	1946-1972	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	AlNiCo	Ind	D		Same as 40314	Auctioned on ebay, December 25 2003, Item#  3261041312 $130 Item appears identical to #86210
95864	1946-1972	Al	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HO	AlNiCo	None	D		Same as 40314	Auctioned on eBay, December 2003 Item# 2581159885 $122.50
100982	1946-1972	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HI	AlNiCo	None	Q		Same as 40314	Auctioned on eBay, June 2004 Item# 6104189296
101226	1946-1972	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HI	AlNiCo	Ind	D		Same as 40314	Auctioned on eBay, May 2004 Item#  3814451510
103026	1946-1972	Al/Brn	1L1R				Ind		Sides	Same as 40314	In the collection of B. Neal
107297	1946-1972	Al/Brn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HI	AlNiCo	Ind		Sides	Same as 40314	Auctioned on eBay, May 2004, Item 3813437449,  179.50
113692	1946-1972	Al/Brn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S2HI	AlNiCo	Ind		Sides	Same as 40314	Auctioned on eBay, February 2004, Item 3274795181

[ Return to Top ]

Alpha  (Japan?)

Possibly a Japanese producer of pocket transits. I have  no information on this company.

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Engraving/Marks	Note
None		Al/Blk	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S1HI	Steel needle, arrowheads at both ends, northern arm painted black with white (luminous?) tip. Southern arm unpainted, with  white (luminous?) dot. Weighted on southern arm.	No	Deg	Manufacturer's name "Alpha" inscribed on lid. "SRC WAM" hand inscribed on lid. Seller stated "Japanese Government Inspection Stamp" but I could not see it in the pictures.	Face of unit is painted white with black lettering. Azimuth ring painted black with white lettering. Auctioned on eBay, Jan 2004, Item  3264942219

[ Return to Top ]

Automatic Limited, Denver CO

The entries for “Denver Geodetic” and “Automatic Limited” have been merged, as I recently came across one of these items being auctioned in it’s original box, which has both names.  It appears that “Denver Geodetic” is a brand name of “Automatics Limited”. 

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Engraving/Marks	Note
	1965+	Al/Blk	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S1HI	AlNiCo	Ind,  unpainted copper cup	Q	The back is marked "Ainsworth Geodetic Transit, "Mfg by AUTOMATICS LTD. Denver, Colo.	Auctioned on ebay December 2003 Item# 3260957039 $99.99 This unit is in the collection of Bud Uzes This is the only item I've seen by this company. It differs visually from other pocket transits in that it has an additional window near the top of the mirror, next to the  short sight. According to Bud, this second window is an aiming device for  sending reflected sun signals. "When sending a reflected sun signal, a  small image of the sun can be brought to appear on the cross hatching. When that image is aligned with a distant target by simultaneously looking through the small hole, the reflected sun signal is correspondingly  directed towards the distant target." - Bud Uzes. Also according to Bud,  there is no date of manufacture or serial number, or information  clarifying the use of the Ainsworth name on this unit, but the instruction  manual contains an isogonic chart that is based upon 1965 information from the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey.
03881	1984	AL/BK	1L1R	1A2SDG	2S1HI	AlNiCo	Ind	D	Face is marked “Denver Geodetic Denver, CO”. Label on lid is marked “Natural Sines” with table, and “Denver Geodetic”, “Transit/Compass”, “Made in Denver Colo. USA”	Pictures: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] PDF of auction giving provenance.
05315		AL	1L1R	1A2SGD	2S1HI	AlNiCo	Ind			Originally appeared in this list as “Denver Geodetics”

[ Return to Top ]

The Brunson Instrument Company, Kansas City, MO

The Brunson company has been making precision  instruments since 1927. During World-War 2, they manufactured M2 compasses for  the U.S. Military. However, the Brunson company's president has stated to me in  email that there are no records existing from that time period documenting  serial numbers. He is going to inquire of some of his retirees whether they  remember any useful information regarding their production of M2 compasses.

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
95471	1941+	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A1SM	2S1HO	Steel needle with arrowheads, N arrowhead painted  white.		M	Date is based on the information that these  compasses were manufactured during World War 2.

[ Return to Top ]

The Brunton Company, Riverton  WY

The Brunton Company is the current manufacturer of Brunton Pocket Transits. They currently manufacture several models: 5008 Com-Pro Degrees, 5007 Com-Pro Quad, 6060 Com-Pro M2 Degrees, 6050 Com-Pro M2 Mils, 2061  Conventional Degrees, 2001 Conventional Quad 5010 Geo Degrees, 5009 Geo Quad, 5006LM International Degrees, 5005LM International Quad.

Older models include the F-4000, F-2000 and perhaps  others I'm not aware of.

According to Brunton technical support, in 1985 they moved to the new serial numbers, where the first three digits represent the  model, and the next four digits represent the month and year of production, and  the last digits represent the production run. Therefore all Brunton Pocket  Transits with the older numbering system were produced between 1972 and 1985.

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Engraving/Marks	Note
020061	1972-1985	Co/Wht	1L1R/Y	2A2SGD	2S2HI	NdFeB	Ind	Deg		"International" Model, Auctioned on eBay,  December 2003
028834	1972-1985	Co/Wht	1L1R/Y	2A2SGD	2S2HI	NdFeB	Ind	Deg		"International" Model, Auctioned on eBay,  December 2003, Item# 3646255210 $155.10
1157xx	1972-1985	Al/Gra	1L1R/Y	1A2SGD	2S1HI	AlNiCo	Ind	Deg	Colorless fluid in the long level, and yellow fluid in the round level	Sold on eBay May 2004 Item: 4132059996, $261,  with Jacob's Staff, Thimble, Tripod, and Ball & Socket adaptor.
128xxx	1972-1985	Al/Gra	1L1R	1A2SGD	2S1HI	Steel w/arrowheads, gold	None	Deg	Al. plate on mirror lid: D.W. Brunton's Pocket Transit The Brunton Company Riverton, Wyoming Made in  U.S.A. (Serial No.) 128***	Item shown in Oregon Trail Mercantile's Virtual Compass Museum
134030	1972-1985	Al/Gra	1R	1A2SGD		AlNiCo	Ind		same as 128***	Severely damaged, missing long arm, azimuth ring, long level, stop button. Mirror cracked and pieces missing. Sold on eBay  March 2004 $11.00
147685	1972-1985	Al/Gra			2S1HI					Sold on eBay May 2004, Item 3816185743, $126,  with tripod, ball & socket adaptor, and carrying case. Seller indicated this was a model F2001.
161693	1972-1985	Al/Grn	1L1R			AlNiCo				Auctioned on ebay April 2004, $145.03
164231	1972-1985	Al				AlNiCo	None	Q		Model F-2000, auctioned on ebay December 2003
1675xx	1972-1985	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S1HI	AlNiCo	None	Deg		Auctioned on ebay Jan 2004, 118.50
167707	1972-1985	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S1HI	AlNiCo	Ind	Deg		Auctioned on ebay March 2004, Item #3804872859,  $186.50
17200	1972-1985	Al/Grn	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S1HI	AlNiCo	None	Deg		International Model; Auctioned on ebay March 2004
5070990018	1990	Co/Wht	1L1R/Y	2A2SGD	2S1HI	NdFeB	Ind	Q		ComPro 5007, Auctioned on eBay December 2003  Item# 3645808471 $187.50
5060894003	1994	Al			In			Deg		Auctioned on eBay December 2003 Item#  3648194056
5080903046	2003	Co/Wht	1L1R/Y	2A2SGD	2S2HI	NdFeB	Ind	Deg		ComPro 5008 Purchased  new from Kooter's Geology Supply in 2003, $202 Owned by W.  Hudson, Gilroy CA
unknown		Co/Wht	1L1R/Y	2A2SGD	2S2HI	NdFeB	Ind	Deg		Auctioned on eBay, December 2003 Item# 3258791766 $152.50 Appears to be a ComPro 5008, or perhaps the slightly older "International"

[ Return to Top ]

Denver Geodetic

See “Automatic Limited” above.

[ Return to Top ]
 

Dietzgen

Eugene Dietzgen (1862–1929) was born in Germany, moved to the United States in 1878, and formed Luhring & Dietzgen, an engineering  supply business, in Chicago in 1885. The firm became Eugene Dietzgen & Co.  in 1891, and began manufacturing operations in 1893. The Dietzgen Corporation is  still in business today. [Description by Smithsonian NMAH]

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Mounting Slots	Engraving/Marks	Note
34	1894+	Al	1L	1A1SD.	1S1HN	steel	n/a	Q		Engraved with 1894 patent date, and "DIETZGEN, CHICAGO, NEW YORK"	Appears in all respects identical to contemporary units by Ainsworth, and was probably manufactured by Ainsworth for  Dietzgen.
12856	1914+	Al	2L	1A1SD.	2S2HO	Steel, White arrowhead at N, black arrowhead at S	n/a	Q	sides	"Brunton's Patents, Sept. 18, 1894, Oct. 22, 1912, May 27, 1913, Apr. 14, 1914, Other Patents Pending, Dietzgen, Chicago, New-York 12856"	Appears in all respects identical to contemporary units by Ainsworth, and was probably manufactured by Ainsworth for  Dietzgen.

GeoSurvey  Instruments, Ltd.

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
		Al/Blk	1L1R	1A1SD	2S1HI			deg	Several of these were auctioned on ebay in December 2003: Item #s: 3649289909, 3262079174, 3262080054, 3262080549,  3263672588, 3263672390, 3263188204, 3263161342. I do not have serial number data for these units.

[ Return to Top ]

The Kalart Company,  Stamford CT

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
20789		Al/Grn				Steel needle	None	Mils	M2 Military compass, Auctioned on ebay December  2003

[ Return to Top ]

Hilger & Watts, England

Hilger & Watts started in 1857 as Watts & Son  Ltd, makers of Surveying and Engineering Instruments in London. In about 1946 they merged with Adam Hilger and James Swift & Son, thereafter doing  business as Hilger & Watts Ltd. and continued until about the mid-20th  century.

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Marks	Note
None indicated	1946+	Al	1L1R	1A1SD.	2S1HO	Steel needle. Note that the needle appears heavier (thicker) than Ainsworth Bruntons of the same period. It is the same width across the pivot, and tapers to points at the ends.	None	Deg	Marked on lid "Hilger & Watts", [emblem],  "Made in England"	besides the needle, the arms have a different  appearance than contemporary Ainsworths, being straight instead of having the curve near the base of the long sight. The declination adjustment screw is placed 180 degrees away from it's position on Ainsworths.

Keuffel & Esser, New Jersey

The Keuffel & Esser company of Hoboken, NJ began  manufacturing copies of the Brunton design in the first half of the 20th  century. The earliest K&E pocket transit I have seen dates to 1926, which  corresponds to the patent date for some of their improvements to the  design. However, that patent was filed in 1923, and the original patent would have expired in 1911. If you know of an earlier unit, please let me know.

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
9394	1911-1923	AL	1L	1A1SD	2S1HI	Steel	None		Early model, with a single long level. Auctioned on eBay Jan 2005 with leather case, VG condition, $130.50. Special thanks to Bud Uzes for sending me the information on this item.
16707		Al	1L	1A1SD	2S1HI	Steel	None	Deg	Early model, auctioned on eBay Jan 2004, $76.00
38165	1926+	Al/Blk	1L1R	2A2SGD	2S1HI	Steel		Q	Featuring the K&E innovation of the short  sight which folds down on the inside of the case when closed. This differs  from the 1914 Brunton model which has the short sight folding down on the  outside of the case when closed. Auctioned on eBay August 2004, Item  3834587774. FC, black paint nearly gone, no case. $81.08
42722	1926+	Al/Blk	1L1R	2A2SGD	2S1HI	Steel		Q	An image of this unit was seen on the Gemmary website, in their section discussing the features of genuine Brunton Pocket Transits. I strongly suggest you read their entire F-Files section.
102276	1926+	Al/Blk	1L1R	2A2SGD	2S1HI	Steel	None	Deg

[ Return to Top ]

Leeway (China)

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
		Al/Blk	1L1R	1A1SD	2S1HI	Steel	None	D	Item offered for sale on eBay, July 2004, Item 5103505595 Appears to be high quality copy, black body, black on white azimuth ring, black on white face, needle appears thicker than  Ainsworth's, with tapered points, not arrowheads, painted black. No  apparent serial number, manufacturer's name prined on face. Cliometer and levels arranged differently than Ainsworth: The long level is on the  vernier arm near the indicator marks (we'll call it 6:00 O'Clock, and the round level is at approximately 1:00 O'Clock in relation to the long level. The stop button appears to have been replaced by a small knurled knob located at the 120d position. It appears that there is a silo in the  lid to accomodate the knob, which leads me to believe that the stop may  not be automatic. This unit also differs from Ainsworth in that the short  sight folds inside, but does not nest in a widening in the long sight like  late Ainsworth's or K&E's do. Instead it appears to rely on an  increased thickness in the mirror lid. Pictures: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

[ Return to Top ]

Lietz

The A. Lietz company of San Francisco, CA was a well respected purveyor of engineering, surveying, and drafting supplies and  instruments, some of which they imported from German and Japanese manufacturers.  In 1984 A. Lietz Company was absorbed by the Sokkia company of Japan, which in  the past had provided some of their surveying instruments to A. Lietz. It is the opinion of most collectors that Lietz Bruntons were probably manufactured by Ainsworth, and possibly by other companies.

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
16152	1926+	Al	2L	2A2SGD	2S2HO	Steel	None	Deg	This unit is offered for sale by the Gemmary
	1926+	Al/Blk	1L1R		2S1HI	Steel	None		Item resides in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History NOTE: Due to a problem at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the above link is not working correctly, and the image of the item is not available.

[ Return to Top ]

Lutz

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
20000		Al/Blk	1L1R	2A2SDG	2S1HI	Steel	None		Item offered for sale on eBay, February 2004, Item 2595453399 Appears to be high quality copy, black body, white  on black azimuth ring, white face with black lettering, needle appears  thicker than Ainsworth's, with arrowheads, painted white and red with possible luminous point on red (N?) end. Serial number is hand lettered,  may not be manufacturer's serial number.

[ Return to Top ]

Negretti & Zambra (UK)

The Negretti & Zambra company is (was?) an instrument manufacturer in the UK.

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sight Type	Short Sight	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
			1L	1A1SD			Steel			Observed for sale on eBay January 2005. Pictures:  [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

[ Return to Top ]

Nishina  (Japan)

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sight Type	Short Sight	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
N/A		Al/unkown	1L1R				Unknown	Damped		In the collection of Dan Flanders

[ Return to Top ]

Sokkia

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
N/A		Al/Blk	1L1R	2A2SDG		AlNiCo	Ind		Pic of Face

[ Return to Top ]

Tamaya (Japan)

S/N	Date	Body	Levels	Clin.	Sights	Magnet/Needle	Damping	Grad	Note
N/A		Al	1L	1A1SF	1S1HN	Steel, no arrowheads	N/A	D	Very unusual unit, with a (handmade?) leather  case. Corresponds in design to an early Ainsworth Brunton, except that the  clinometer armature is graduated in fractions! This unit corresponds to an advertisement from a pre-WWII catalog from the "Tamaya Company", which was  a Japanese manufacturer of sextants and other scientific instruments.  Pictures: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

[ Return to Top ]

Ackowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the following individuals  and organizations for their valuable contributions to this site:

• Dan Flanders
• Jerry Mohlman
• Bud Uzes
• Terrell W. Fritz
• John Ravenscroft
• Dr. Peter von Bitter
• Dr. John Gilbert
• Derek R
• Bryan Keith Rauch
• Brooke Clark
• John Addessi of Oregon Trail Mercantile and The Virtual Compass Museum
• National Museum of American History at the  Smithsonian
• The Robert A. Paselk Scientific Instrument Museum at Humbolt State University,  California