B66-569 LEVEL. Kraengel Patent. Frederick Kraengel was born in Germany, immigrated to the US around 1833 and spent the rest of his life in Buffalo. He received at least three patents, including one in 1881 for a level with vial protectors. Only a handful of his levels are known, each is a little different and it looks like they were hand made and never successfully marketed. This one is 12" long, with the level and plumb vials mounted at right angles in an assembly that rotates into a brass housing. It is stamped "F. Kraengel, Buffalo, NY, Pat. Apld For" on the end. Cherry, with a full brass bottom plate. There's a screw inserted in the cheek that appears intentional but has no apparent function. The rotating assembly is a little stiff and could use some lubrication, but otherwise very clean. A very rare and intriguing level. Good+ 500-1000