ANTIQUE STRATTON No. 1 BRASSBOUND TYPE - 1 LEVEL Start Price USD 1.99 Current Price USD 550.00 Time Left - Bid Count 8 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, November 17, 2008 End Time Monday, November 24, 2008 Location New Castle, Indiana See more about 'ANTIQUE STRATTON No. 1 BRASSBOUND TYPE - 1 LEVEL ' Description Tonight I am putting up TWO (2) restored levels. They are a Type 1 Stratton No. 1 and a Davis & Robinson No. 49 level. My hobby is restoring levels, usually in poor condition, so that other collectors might enjoy them. I have been involved with this hobby for 10 years and have restored and sold well over 350 levels. You can see by my feedback, that my work is appreciated.  (If you are not familiar with my work please see partial restoration steps below.)   Here is the background on this Stratton No. 1 level. I bought it as an absentee bidder at a Martin Donnelly auction. He projected that the level would sell between $800 and $1600. I made a conservative bid and won the level. After I received the level I understand why the bid was not higher, but I was confident that I could restore it back to respectability.   The major flaw was a gouge at the edge of the plumb vial hole. With much patience and work I was able to fill the gouge and sand it to where it is smooth to the touch. Only when you hold it up to a light is it more visible than it is in one of the pictures.    The level has the first Stratton patent of “MCH 1 1870”. This was for the brass rails. You can read about the Stratton No. 1 level on pages 74 through 77 of Don Rosebrook’s book, “American Levels and Their Makers”   I have seen this level only 2 other times, but there is NO mention of this style nor is there a picture in Don’s book.   The level is made from a nice piece of Mahogany. I was able to sand away 98% of the nicks. The brass rails and corner pieces are in excellent condition. The top plate is in good condition with a couple of nicks and the Stratton logo and patent date are almost perfect.   The level measures a little less than 28 - inches long by 3 & 3/8- inches high by 1 & 1/4 – inch wide.   Both vials look to be original. Both are accurate and very sensitive. They are NOT adjustable.   This Stratton level does not come around very often. I regret that I have to put a reserve on it, but I have too much invested to risk not putting minimum value.   The format that I use for Ebay auctions only lets me put up 12 pictures. I took well over 30 pictures and would be glad to send more to anyone wanting more details to look at. Or, I can take any picture that you might desire.   I hope that my years of dealing with Ebay sales will let you bid with confidence that this is an OUTSTANDING level.   Please see the other levels that I am also putting up for auction.   Here is my policy on feedbacks. Once I know that you have satisfied with the level and leave me a positive feedback then I will leave same.     As with all my level sales, if you are not satisfied, return the level within 14 days and I will refund the bid price.   Feel free to e-mail me any questions that the description and/or pictures do not answer.   PARTIAL LIST OF RESORATION STEPS: 1.     Level is completely dissembled. 2.     All dirt and rust is removed. 3.     Vial caskets are cleaned. 4.     Screws are sanded or replace. (Steel screws have been put through a “Bluing” process.) 5.     Wood has been sanded and buffed, color restored with a penetrating wax and/or stain, and sealed with Brie wax. 6.     All attached brass pieces have been cleaned and buffed with steel wool.   Place a Bid!