Level, Surveyor's

Description

Mahogany surveyor's level with horizontal and plumb vials, brass top, bottom, and end plates, ivory plate inset in one side, and glass vials. Diamond shaped access ports for plumb, vial, probably brass, are missing and holes are filled with a whitish composite. A ball-socket with a hole for Jacob's staff mounting mortised into center of bottom. Another cylindrical socket for use of plumb vial is found in end opposite the plumb vial end. A hole through ivory plate and through something of iron or steel behind ivory appears to have had something to do with locking the ball socket in place once device was leveled. End plates have posts at either side and are proud of the level top by about 1/8". These were apparently used as sights to establish level line to the plumb rod.