Name/Title
Circular German silver Protractor, 10", tangent screw, model 1217, made by Keuffel & Esser Co., n.d., ca. 1894-1914.Entry/Object ID
2009.001.0040Description
Circular German silver Protractor, 10 inch, tangent screw, model 1217, made by Keuffel & Esser Co., New York, no date, ca. 1894-1914. Metal with machine mechanism, 10" diameter with movable arm extending 6-1/2" beyond outer edge of protractor; horn center with crosshairs. With: original polished mahogany case (16-3/4" wide x 11" deep x 1-1/2" high) lined with green velvet.
Graduations divided to 1/4 degrees; vernier reading to 1 minute (using the tangent screw.) A precision instrument that may have had a use for draftsmen and engineers, but also may have been a tool for mapmaking, tool & die work, machine shop and other precision applications. K&E offered an extensive line of this style tool.
Item is marked on the crossbar: Keuffel & Esser Co. N.Y. There is additional line hand engraved below it: P.W.G.-H-P.72-07.5 Model number does not appear on item or case, but depiction of this item is seen in catalogues, as a Paragon brand product, from 1900 to 1921 (it is listed as discontinued in a 1920 price list for the 35 edition catalog of 1915; presumably an item formerly imported from Germany and the supply disrupted by World War I.)
While K&E did create a successor to this in its Paragon line, 1222-1/2T (or TM with case), that is first seen in the 1921, 36th edition catalog. As shown in that catalog, it varies in significant details as illustrated. It is always difficult to accept their catalog illustrations as definitive, but in this case it points to the one here being a pre-World War I device.
The early date of 1894 is only indicated by the fact that the catalog illustrations from 30th to 35th editions have "Copyright, 1894, by Keuffel & Esser Co." thus allowing that this model was available at that date.
K&E had factories in Hoboken during this period and moved their main office there in 1907.Acquisition
Accession
2009.001Source or Donor
PurchaseAcquisition Method
PurchaseCredit Line
Museum Collections.Made/Created
Date made
1894 - 1914Notes
Date: 1894-1914General Notes
Note
Status: OK
Status By: dw
Status Date: 2009-10-22
