Display box

Really nice box Terry. I suspect that your old tool is some sort of early surveyor’s tool. The box came out excellent.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Terry,

This is a beautiful box. I really enjoy the grain pattern of the lid.

Thanks for the post.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

The mitered lid is awesome and pegged corners, nice touch.

-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.

Nice box!

The instrument seems to be a transit. Surveyor and builders use it to determine the elevation of any given point by sighting in and leveling it to a known benchmark. Ones like you’ve got there have been pretty much made obsolete by newer electronic models with all sorts of bells and whistles, including GPS capabilities.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Thanks Charlie! The tool belonged to my uncle who was in his 90’s when I was about 6. He was a carpenter for the US Army Corps of Engineers and worked on all sorts of projects encluding the POW camp at FT. McClellan AL. I made the box as a gift for my cousin.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

Interesting design. Nice little box.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Nice work. The box is a great display for your antique tool.

-- Maplewood, MN

Very nicely done.

-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle

Roz,

Tried the netto find out any info regarding the instrument but nothing definitive was found. I have to agree with Charlie in that it is most likely a tool associated with surveying and determining elevations.

Nice to see you making efforts to preserve a bit of antiquity.

-- I can so I wood but why are my learning curves always circles