Dumpy level

Add to album

A dumpy level is a surveyor's levelling instrument. This brass example was made around 1920 by George Hutchison, a scientific instrument maker based in Edinburgh.

This instrument lacks its levelling head, which would have had four levelling screws and would have been located beneath the telescope. The circular bubble and bubble tube which indicate a horizontal setting are located on top of the instrument.

Between 1888 and 1907, George Hutchison's business was at 16 Teviot Place in Edinburgh. In 1908 it moved round the corner to 18 Forrest Road, where it remained until the late 1960s.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-102-744-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1978.97
• Date: Around 1920
  c. 1920
  
• Material: Inscription: G. Hutchison / Edin.
  Dumpy level / box / tripod
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Dumpy level / box / tripod
  
• Subject:
• Who: George Hutchison, 16 Teviot Place, Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Brass dumpy level in a box, signed by George Hutchison of Edinburgh, c. 1920
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. pp 85-6 
• Translations:
• Related Records: