Hi Folks: Anyone know the manufacturer, or anything else about this tripod? I can't find any maker name on it, I'll be selling it, trying to identify it. Link: imgur.com
I think it is a photo tripod. Surveyor's tripods never have a raised centre column because of the effect on stability.
I've seen a few older legsets that had a center column option. This looks like one, albeit modified to take a photo head.
That really does look like a surveyor's/transit tripod. The spiked feet and no leg 'restraints' are not very good on hard surfaces, but good in dirt, turf, etc. I bought an orange one from a hardware store that was closing...I asked what the weight rating was. He thought that was a really dumb question...'a transit'. He also couldn't think outside the box for repurposing. It had a huge bolt with a screwdriver-style handle...I think it was 5/8"-13 or thereabouts. I had to find a tap that size to make a plate for my usage.
Looks similar to an ex British War Department tripod I have, mine is marked with the 'broad arrow' -> and 1942, doesn't have scale marks on the legs though. There would have been a lot of heavy duty wooden tripods sold off as surplus after the war that were later adapted to photo use.