Drum barograph and barometer attributed to Negretti & Zambra, principally of lacquered brass construction. Conventional eight day drum recorder with enclosed movement and platform escapement, captive winding key and top cover

The barometer movement raised on four turned brass supporting pillars, eight capsule pressure sensing set, well executed mechanism with blued screws, white metal recording arm. Chassis mounted pen setting knob and arrestor bar with twin stop pins. Silvered and engraved brass open faced dial with conventional annotation calibrated from 28 to 31 inches of mercury and with curved thermometer to bottom, carrying Centigrade and Fahrenheit scales with ranges -20 – 50 degrees and -10 – 130 degrees respectively. Top part marked with retailer’s name “S.D. Neill Ltd, Belfast.” Blued steel pointer. Conventional corked ink bottle with dipper retained in a separately mounted cylindrical station. The whole mounted on a long lacquered brass chassis with fluted border and contained within its original lacquered and polished oak case with lift off bevelled five glass cover, the base set with frieze chart drawer.

The instrument and cabinet having been completely dismantled, conserved and cleaned, including polishing and re-setting all pivots, re-balancing and aligning the mechanism, manufacture of a replacement recording arm, and re-setting of the arm and nib. The clockwork movement overhauled and timed. The barometric mechanism re-calibrated. The recorded paper an up to date test, showing good sensitivity and function.

Such instruments with barometer dial in the case may be considered scarce, particularly so when the dial incorporates a thermometer. The majority require considerable restoration – this one has survived in essentially very original condition but required a complete rebuild. The barometer dial with original silvering, signs of patination, the movement extensively cleaned and re-lacquered. The oak case with good colour, signs of age patination but retaining a good proportion of original lacquer. The instrument now presented in fine sympathetically restored condition.

An interesting and aesthetically appealing instrument with a very practical purpose. A collector’s piece.

Sharman D. Neill Ltd was a highly respected jeweller, clock maker and marine optician incorporated in 1802 and becoming a limited company in 1906. In 1920 the business was based at 12 Donegall Street, Belfast, and continued in business until recently.

Dimensions: 14” wide x 9” high x 9” deep

Stock No: BG0797

Price: SOLD