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Pilot balloon marine theodolite, made by Keuffel & Esser Co., Hoboken, 1943 for U.S. Navy.

Object/Artifact
Pilot balloon marine theodolite, Aero-1938-USN 345-43. Made by Keuffel & Esser Co., Hoboken, 1943 for United States Navy. Serial number 83352. Gray painted metal case, carrying handle on top; with instrument, gimbal mount (with wood storage spacer & chain) and two storage bases (one is a trivet base.) Not present is any tripod or counterweight. Maker's plate on door with serial number; printed instruction plate attached inside door. Carrying handle on top Also known as a "Pibal" [PI from 'pilot'; BAL from 'balloon'] theodolite or bubble sextant. A World War II military item made under contract by K&E who had their general offices and main factories in Hoboken at this time. Name of item does not appear on object, but a model name and number as well as K&E name, patent number and serial number do appear on the object. Under the eyepiece cup is a lever for the bubble and positions marked "in" and "out."

2010.007.0017

2010.007

Lukacs, Claire

Gift

Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.

1943 - 1943

Date: 1943-1943

Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2010-05-25

instrument in case
case closed inside case door; printed label case with only lower storage plate in place viewing side left side right side under eyepiece; lever for bubble out - in detail right side: Keuffel & Esser markings with serial number 83352 detail right edge with model name and number detail left side detail left side detail storage plate; trivet feet. gimbal mount view 1 gimbal mount view 2: hole at center for pin on theodolite detail bottom of theodolite with pin to insert in gimbal mount