A very unusual lacquered brass Bourdon metallic or aneroid barometer by Jules Richard no. 31695 with Russian Cyrillic dial c1890

Bourdon barometer having 6¼” back printed glass dial marked with standard prognostications and retailer’s details in Cyrillic lettering, the barometric scale calibrated in centimetres of mercury divided to single millimetres. Blued steel pointer and bevelled glass dial.

Conventional Bourdon movement driven from a 3¾” diameter semi-circular ovoid section pressure sensing cell acting on a fine later pattern ‘teardrop’ rack and pinion to arbor, the backplate struck with the Jules Richard logogram, “Brevete,” and serial no, “31695,” calibration from verso with interrupter key. All contained within a dished or convex silvered reflector bowl maintained within a brass scalloped outer case. Pendant and bow.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The movement free and working well across the range.

In well above average condition, the back printed dial with minor losses to retailer’s details, the outer case retaining a good proportion of its original lacquer, some ageing and oxidation.

Comments: These later pattern instruments are not uncommon, but variants with printed Cyrillic dials are very seldom seen in western Europe or the UK. This is unusual.

Very much a collector’s piece.