A very good scarce Hutchinson’s Improved Surveying Aneroid barometer altimeter No 3575 by Elliott Brothers, London c1880

Aneroid pocket barometer having 1¾” diameter silvered and die struck dial, bi-directional bezel operated altimetric scale calibrated in feet, divided to 20ft with full scale deflection +/- 1,000ft. Inner barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury having a range from 26” – 31” and divided to 1/10th”. Blued steel pointer under bevelled glass. Conventional Vidi pattern movement driven from a single 1” capsule tensioned on a C spring. Contained in a drum form case, the bezel with engine turned finish, side extension short grip, the verso with calibration port.

Complete with its original burgundy leather over timber, green silk and velvet lined case, snap closure on a button release.

Condition: The subject of a full mechanical overhaul, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions. The movement working well with acceptable accuracy over the full range, see performance chart. The dial crisp, clean and vibrant, the altitude ring with some losses to silvering and signs of historic oxidation. The case retaining a very high proportion of its lacquered gilt finish, the extension grip retaining a lesser proportion. The travel case structurally sound, the leather covering essentially intact, the keeper and release button replaced. The green silk and velvet interior worn with fading, though essentially sound.

Comments: Produced under license and to the specification of Hutchinson’s Improved Aneroid Surveying barometer by Elliott Brothers, this instrument is numbered on the dial suggesting that Elliott may have been the principle maker – this is largely conjecture though.

An interesting and now very hard to find instrument in much above average condition. Very much a collector’s piece.