1953 Wild Heerbrugg K2 Alidade Figure 1: The 1953 Wild Heerbrugg K2 Alidade. This instrument was given to me in 2004 by a former colleague. The instrument is of Swiss origin, made by Wild Heerbrugg, just as most of my theodolites and levels. This instrument was used (and modern versions are still used) to terrain mapping in the field. The box is provided with leather straps so it can be used as a rucksack, while the tripod can be tied to it. The tribrach that is in the box would be fitted on the tripod. On this tribrach a drawing board (dimensions according to the packing list: 61.5cm x 46cm, not in my possession) should be mounted. A sheet of paper could then be placed on this board and, on top of that, the alidade would have been placed. The box itself is like a time-capsule. It was put in a corner after its last use, still containing all the drawing pins, pencils etc that would have been used in the field. The amount of original accessories is amazing.  Figure 2: The 1953 Wild Heerbrugg K2 Alidade from the other side.. In the case the following items can be found next to the alidade and its tribrach (see figure 4 and figure 5):
The telescope gives an inverted view and has stadia hairs with a 100 multiplication constant. The vertical circle is illuminated the same way as the circles of the 1929 Wild T2. The circle itself is centesimally divided and can be read directly down to 0.1 gon and estimated one decimal further. If you have any questions and/or remarks please let me know. |
 Figure 3: The box of the Wild Heerbrugg K2 alidade. |
 Figure 4: The accessories of the Wild Heerbrugg K2 alidade in the box. |
 Figure 5: The Wild K2 accessories neatly arranged. |
 Figure 6: A close-up of the Wild compasses and loupe. |
 Figure 7: Even the pencils are made in Switzerland. |
 Figure 8: The boussole of the Wild K2. |
 Figure 9: A close-up of the Wild K2 boussole. |
 Figure 10: The tribrach of the Wild K2 plane table. |
 Figure 11: The Wild K2 serial number. The alidade is permanently locked by a screw at the lower left. |
 Figure 12: The vertical circle is illuminated in the same way as the archetype Wild T2. |
 Figure 13: The original tripod is fastened to the case for transport. |
 Figure 14: A close-p of the lock and labels on the case. |
 Figure 15: An inverted view through the telescope showing stadia hairs along the vertical cross-hair. |
 Figure 16: A look at the vertical circle through the circle reading microscope. |
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