Description:
- Object ID: ALSA 2007.27.09
- Made by: Cooke, Throughton & Simms Ltd., York, England
- Model: Tavistock
- Serial Number: VO41314
- Date Made: Circa 1936.
- Approximate size:
- Accessories: The theodolite comes in a canvas covered wooden box containing many accessories (See commnetary). Also included are three manuals (pamphlets):
- Condition: Good
Commentary:
The Tavistock Theodolite was produced to compete with the Wild T2 Theodolite which had badly outclassed other theodolites in the 1920’s. After a meeting attended by the Admiralty, the War Office, and the Ordnance Survey and leading British instrument makers the firm Cooke, Troughton and Simms developed a competing theodolite. It was named the Tavistock Theodolite after the name of the town in which the meeting was held.
On one side of the theodolite is engraved: “TAVISTOCK VO41314” On the other side is COOKE, TROUGHTON & SIMMS. Ltd YORK, ENGLAND Pat Nos 518148 288416 563872 242468″
The Theodolite comes in a canvas covered wooden box marked H^O 210. With the box are several accessories including a lens cover, canvas instrument cover, a two-foot-long electrical cable, a sunshade and an adjusting pin. In a leather folder marked N is a 90-degree eyepiece (used for astronomic observations), a vernier light and a few unidentifiable objects. In another leather folder marked D is a plumb bob, a small wrench, two adjusting pins and a few unidentifiable objects.
With the theodolite are: two copies of “Instructions for use and adjustment of Tavistock Theodolite Type II.” One copy is produced by Cooke, Troughton & Simms, the other by Vickers Limited. Also is a book titled “ Tavistock Transit” which contains a history of the instrument, specifications, testing of the instrument and other data.
According to C.H. Weir ALS#164, who donated the theodolite, it dates back to when A.G. Stewart ALS#078 was in private practice in Edmonton. From a dated picture in a pamphlet accompanying the theodolite, it appears this instrument was produced sometime after 1936.
Source of Object: Donated by C.H. (Charlie) Weir, ALS.
Notes: The Society has only one Tavistock Transit in its collection..
References: Visit article A Town in Devonshire, England and the Tavistock Theodolite for additional information.
Description by: Entered by Ed Titanich on November 30, 2024. Gordon Olsson March 5, 2026.