A very scarce early marine Fisherman’s Aneroid Barometer No 3658 issued by the RNLI and manufactured by Dollond, London c1887

Marine aneroid barometer having 4¾” transfer printed and illuminated ceramic dial, marked “Changeable” at 12 o’clock, the barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 26”–31” and divided down to 1/20th”, the upper portion marked with basic forecasting instructions, “Barometer Falls for Warm, Wet, Or More Wind,” “Rises for Cold, Dry, Or Less Wind,” and “Fishermans Aneroid Barometer.” The lower portion marked “Issued by the Royal National Life Boat Institution,” with serial “No 3658,” and signed by the maker “Dollond, London.” Blued steel pointer, gilt brass index, silvered reflector ring, all set beneath heavy bevelled glass.

Standard configuration Vidie pattern 1st quality movement driven from a single 2¾” nickel silver capsule tensioned on a C spring, raised over a cast steel chassis. The movement set on an internal ½” timber spacer maintained to the back plate on three screws. The whole contained within a deep (2⅛” excluding bezel and glass) zinc drum form case, bulkhead mountings to top and bottom, calibration port to verso.

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

In very original condition, the dial about perfect, save general crazing which is normal and evident on all original specimens observed. The index moving freely but with correct resistance. Annotations clear and crisp, the glass clean and essentially damage free, the case damage free save general oxidation evident on all similar instruments observed. On disassembly, there were clear signs that this marine barometer had been to sea.

Comments: These early instruments are now very hard to find. Both Dollond and Negretti & Zambra produced similar instruments, though the Dollond examples are of marginally better quality and fewer were produced, making these rarer.

Inspired by Fitzroy and issued in modest numbers these instruments undoubtedly saved many lives at sea. Aesthetically attractive, historically most important, and with up to date function, these are amongst the most popular and collectable of all the aneroid barometers, and in this original condition must be considered quite scarce.