I bought this instrument at an auction. Not sure how old it was or whether it was a replica it was sold complete with the original tripod. I was actually hoping the tripod could be used for my other instruments but that proved to be impossible due to the nut and bold connection to the tripod rather than the wooden spike I was hoping for. The instrument is however an interesting one as it is undated and unsigned. This type of instrument is an example of an early levelling technique where the instrument is filed with water and adjusted untill the two bottles indicate the same waterlevel. The staff is then sighted over the two water levels to obtain a levelling line. The glasses are marked and all parts that belong to the box (including the key) are still there. On the top of the instrument there is a hole into which something can be fitted; probably a set of visors as viewing through the glasses would be very hard. 

The instrument itself is not damaged. However, the glasses were once connected using what probably was a lacquer. This is now gone and the glasses are loose in their fittings. They would need to be remounted before the instrument can be used. It will however not be very accurate in comparison with the more modern tilting levels or the regular hydrostatic levels. The tripod seems original and ever part is chome or nickel plated brass. I'm assuming nickel as chrome plating was much later developed than nickel plating. The plating is corroded and not as shiny as it probably once was. It is hard to put an exact data on this but I'm assuming somewhere late 19th century based on the details on the box (ornate lock) and the tripod.

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de Hilster