Magnificent Antique Brass Graphometer in Very Good Condition. France, 18th-19th Century

This amazing old-time instrument is a graphometer more than one hundred years old, made in France between the 18th-19th centuries. The device is complete and remains in working order, being an item as beautiful and decorative as practical. It comes in its original solid wooden box, also quite ancient and with different inscriptions and labels. The graphometer is made of golden brass, a solid and shiny material, with four black iron pieces screwed to the ruler ends. Graphometers are used to measure angles in topographic research works. These instruments are composed of a semicircular limb divided in 180 grades. The limb is subtended by the diameter with two sights at its ends. In the middle of the diameter a "box and needle" (compass) is fixed. On the same middle the alidade with two other sights is fitted. When using a graphometer, we have to make sure that the instrument is level in order to get precise measurements. The instrument that we can see in these images preserves all its original component parts, all working fine. The wooden case bears the capital letters B SV stamped at the top, and the inscription N 211 under them. Inside the cover there are two paper stickers: a circular one with the inscription PONTS ET CHAUSÉES (bridges and paths, probably an engineering school) APRT. DE BETHUNE (PAS DE CALAIS) INVENTAIRE DE LING-ORDINAIRE Nº 211, the number engraved in the cover. The rectangular sticker contains an inscription that reads: Bureau de lArrondisement (District Office). This stunning antique graphometer is bound to belong to a great collection of antique instruments. Measurements: Width: 10 in / 25.5 cm. Height: 10.6 in /27 cm.