Bidspirit auction | Hildebrand Strassburg Theodolite & Case

Hildebrand Strassburg Theodolite & Case - This precision surveying instrument is a remarkable artifact of early 20th-century German engineering, manufactured by the renowned Hildebrand-Wichmann-Werke of Freiberg and Berlin. The set includes its original light-wood transport case—complete with a functional lock and original key—a protective internal housing, a cleaning brush, and the grey-enameled brass theodolite itself, which features integrated spirit levels and high-magnification optics. A brass property plate identifies it as belonging to the ”Staatsbauschule Strassburg” (State Building School of Strasbourg), a prestigious institution established during the German annexation of Alsace (1871–1918) to train the architects and engineers who built the city's famous Neustadt district. This specific unit served the ”Abt. Vermessung” (Surveying Department), with the serial number 68188 matching both the instrument and the case. The piece shows signs of professional field use, including minor scuffs to the wooden case and light finish wear on the brass components, but remains mechanically sound with clear optics and smooth adjustment dials. H 12”, W 8”, D 8”.Please see photo for condition. From the Dale Beeks collection.