A good scarce scientific grade aneroid barometer in original case by R. Fuess, Berlin & Steglitz, No. 1123826 c1932

Aneroid barometer having 4½” anodised dye struck aluminium dial calibrated in Millibars (red) and Millimetres (black) of Hg, with respective ranges 830 – 1060 Mb and 630 – 800 mm respectively, each divided to units, the upper part of the dial marked with maker’s “R. Fuess, Berlin-Steglitz” logogram with stamped serial no. “1123826” below, the lower annotated “D.R.P.” (Deutsches Reichspatent) and “mm-mb.” Japanned aluminium parallax corrected pointer under flat glass.

New generation highly developed temperature compensated movement constructed between twin light alloy plates driven from a six segmented copper beryllium self stabilised pressure sensor acting on a finely poised single spindle with rack and pinion registration. The front plate with various inspection marks and dated “10.11.32.” All contained within a chromium plated drum form case, calibration port to circumference at 6 o’clock, pendant and bow.

Presented in its original canvas and faux leather covered, mauve velvet lined timber framed case. Security catch.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The movement working extremely well with near perfect progression and registration. The dial about perfect, some slight signs of ageing. The chrome case with losses to verso, otherwise bright and dent free. The timber case structurally sound, the external covering worn and with losses.

Comments: Roundly and absolutely wrongly dismissed as of little value, this is a superb piece of engineering capable of great accuracy. The movement is based upon Vidie’s principles but that is where similarity begins and ends. New design, application of new materials and physics – this instrument is one of the first generation of highly evolved barometers and altimeters, produced by Fuess in parallel with other such makers as Kollsman, Kelvin and Negretti & Zambra, who all broke away from the traditional movement format.

These instruments occasionally appear, though rarely in boxes. They are, in my view, worthy of any collection and in their own right a most important milestone in the development of the aneroid barometer.