A good very scarce early German silver cased aneroid pocket barometer by Negretti & Zambra no. 1348 c1863

Pocket barometer having 1⅞” silvered and engraved dial, the outer part marked with standard meteorological terms, the inner barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 25” – 31” divided down to 1/20“. Blued steel pointer, bezel driven barb index, bevelled glass.

Early pattern movement based on the original Vidie pattern driven from a single 1¼” nickel alloy cell tensioned on a coil spring, all raised over a decorated chassis. The whole presented in a ribbed semi barrel form German silver case, pendant and bow, calibration port to verso.

Presented in its correct round leather over timber, plum velvet and silk lined case, snap closure on a button release.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The movement working to full scale, lacking accuracy at the lower pressures, a common characteristic  of these early instruments.

The dial very good with minimal marks, crisp and clean, the German silver case with some wear, light abrasions. The leather case structurally sound with good colour and shine, loss of leather over button release.

Comments: Very rarely seen, this is one of the first truly pocket sized aneroid barometers (called “watch sized” then) in remarkably good condition – as an example eminently collectable.