Clinometer

Add to album

A clinometer is a surveying instrument used for measuring the angle of inclination. This brass example, also known as a drainage level, was made around 1855 by Gardner & Co., scientific instrument makers based in Glasgow.

The clinometer (pictured here in its wooden case) has a telescopic sight, bubble level and silvered arc. Engraved on the arc is 'GARDNER & CO/ 21 BUCHANAN ST/ GLASGOW/ REGISTERED NO 2602 DEC 28TH 1850'.

T.R. Gardner registered the design of this special level - used when installing drainage pipes - in December 1850. This was two years before obtaining the Royal Warrant alluded to on the trade card on the inside box lid.

Record details

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

• Online ID: 000-100-102-758-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1980.146
• Date: Around 1855
  c. 1855
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: GARDNER & Co. / 21 BUCHANAN St. / GLASGOW. / REGISTERD / No. 2602 DEC 28th.. 1850. ; 85
  Clinometer / drainage level / case
  
• Dimensions: 344 mm L
  
• What: Clinometer / drainage level / case
  
• Subject:
• Who: Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
  Gardner and Co., Glasgow (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: 13 1/2" drainage level or clinometer, numbered 85, in brass with telescopic sight, registered design of 1850, signed by Gardner and Co. of Glasgow, c. 1855
  
• 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 166,170,172,174 
  • T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass 
• Translations:
• Related Records: