Drum Barograph & Barometer by Short & Mason c1920 – SOLD
Short & Mason barograph and barometer principally of lacquered brass construction. Conventional eight day drum recorder bearing “Pat No 3715.02” to top plate and serial no. “9582” to lower plate with good quality guarded original platform escapement, captive winding key and top cover mounted on a conical base with sun gear serially numbered “9582.”
The barometer set on separate unsigned chassis with fluted border, the movement raised on four turned brass supporting pillars, eight capsule pressure sensing set with adjustment wheel over, well executed mechanism with blued screws, white metal recording arm. Chassis mounted arrestor bar with twin stop pins. Silvered and printed brass open faced dial with conventional annotation calibrated from 28 to 31 inches of mercury, bearing registered design no. “428606” to bottom. Blued steel pointer. Ivorene plate to cabinet base bearing retailer’s particulars, “Thomson Skinner & Hamilton, Glasgow.” Conventional corked ink bottle with dipper retained in a separately mounted cylindrical station. The whole contained within its original lacquered and polished oak case with lift off bevelled five glass cover, the base set with frieze chart draw.
The instrument and cabinet having been completely dismantled, conserved and cleaned, including polishing and re-setting all pivots, re-balancing and aligning the mechanism, re-setting the recording arm and nib. The clockwork movement overhauled and timed. The barometric mechanism re-calibrated. The recorded paper an up to date test, showing very good sensitivity and function.
Such instruments with barometer dial in the case may be considered scarce. The majority require considerable restoration – this one has survived remarkably well and remains original in virtually all respects. The barometer dial with some losses, minor scratches to glass, the movement retaining virtually all its original lacquered finish, some small areas of oxidation principally to drum cover. The oak case with good colour, signs of age patination but retaining a good proportion of original lacquer. It is now presented very well.
An interesting and aesthetically appealing instrument with a very practical purpose. A collector’s piece.
Dimensions: 14” wide x 9” high x 9” deep
Stock No: BG0463
Price: SOLD