Astounding & Rare! F.J. GOUCH Mahogany Sighting Level with Pitch Adjustment

A unique and extremely rare sighting level by Franklin J. Gouch of Worcester Mass. This is the only example known with the pitch adjustment. Gouch is a noted plane maker working from the mid 1840’s until the late 1860’s. The earliest mention I’ve found of Gouch levels is from 1853 in “A Record of the First Exhibition of the Metropolitan Mechanics’ Institute”. Gouch also advertised making levels in the 1856 Massachusetts Business Directory. Like his planes, Gouch’s levels are very well made. OAL: 29″, H: 3 1/2″, W: 1 3/4″. Marked on the top edge, “F.J. Gouch, Worchester, MS” (mark is faint). A special and rare pre-Civil War level.