USACE Benchmark disc on eBay

[cesariojpn]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Corps-of-Engineers-US-Army-Albuquerque-Survey-Boundary-Marker-Brass-N-/170957540700?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cddd0d5c

 

Was looking for something else unrelated when this came up on an eBay search sidebar. Is this a legit marker? I thought you couldn't sell these?

 

Edited to add: This also popped up when I went back to the auction above and went down.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corps-of-Engineers-Bronze-Survey-Marker-Type-1-3-5-Diameter-/321046466284?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abfdc4eec

Edited December 31, 2012 by cesariojpn

[+LSUFan]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Corps-of-Engineers-US-Army-Albuquerque-Survey-Boundary-Marker-Brass-N-/170957540700?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cddd0d5c

 

Was looking for something else unrelated when this came up on an eBay search sidebar. Is this a legit marker? I thought you couldn't sell these?

 

Edited to add: This also popped up when I went back to the auction above and went down.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corps-of-Engineers-Bronze-Survey-Marker-Type-1-3-5-Diameter-/321046466284?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abfdc4eec

 

Unfortunately this happens. George Leigh with the NGS has stated that he contacts ebay when he sees the marks on there. Bill showed us one last year that sold, and had a wild espionage story detailed in the description of it. It sold for a large amount and in reality was just a reference mark to a triangulation station. I think the link Bill provided in the opening post of the forum below is still good if you want to get a chuckle.

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=274828&st=0&p=4740446&hl=ebay&fromsearch=1entry4740446

 

Here are some other forum topics where the ebay selling was discussed:

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=252438&st=0&p=4373300&hl=ebay&fromsearch=1entry4373300

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=24999&st=0&p=337598&hl=ebay&fromsearch=1entry337598

Edited December 31, 2012 by LSUFan

[wister6813]

Is the boundary disk in the second link used? I can't tell. But if it is unused the sale may be legit.

 

At one time the USACE sold unused boundary disks at the Mississippi River Visitor's Center adjacent to Lock & Dam 15. The disks were made at the Rock Island Arsenal. IIRC the price is $5. I think I have 3 or 4.

[cesariojpn]

Unfortunately this happens. George Leigh with the NGS has stated that he contacts ebay when he sees the marks on there. Bill showed us one last year that sold, and had a wild espionage story detailed in the description of it. It sold for a large amount and in reality was just a reference mark to a triangulation station. I think the link Bill provided in the opening post of the forum below is still good if you want to get a chuckle.

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=274828&st=0&p=4740446&hl=ebay&fromsearch=1entry4740446

 

Okay, that begs this odd question: Were benchmarks subjected to the scrap metal drives of WWII?

[+Ernmark]

I don't think so - there were a huge amount of marks set during the war (especially in 1942)...

[+DragonsWest]

I don't think so - there were a huge amount of marks set during the war (especially in 1942)...

 

A few I found placed during the early 40's are iron discs. I assume, like with One Cent and Five Cent coins they had to give up the copper for brass shell casings. (In 1943 cents were made of steel, while nickels were largely manganese and silver)