A very good lacquered brass aneroid pocket barometer altimeter by C.W. Dixey No 1319 c1880

Pocket barometer having 1⅞” silvered and die struck dial, the outer altitude scale calibrated in feet with a range from 0 – 8,000ft divided down to 100ft, the inner barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 22” – 31” inHg divided down to 1/20”, bezel driven index. The upper part signed by the maker “C.W. Dixey, Opticians to the Queen,” the lower part marked “New Bond Street, London” with serial no. “1319” and “Compensated.”

Blued steel pointer and bevelled glass. Conventional movement driven from a 1” single nickel alloy capsule tensioned on a C spring. All assembled within a drum form case having engine turned bezel, case extension and bow, calibration port to verso.

Presented in its correct oxblood leather over timber, blue velvet and cream silk lined case, the lid silk bearing retailer’s details and Royal appointment, snap closure on a button release.

Condition: Fully serviced, conserved, and calibrated under laboratory conditions. Accuracy registers within 1/10” Hg across what is a wide scale, other than at 31”, showing exceptionally good performance for an instrument of this period, see performance chart. Sensitive with good progression.

The dial with some minor marks and small areas of oxidation, the brass case retaining a very proportion of its original lacquered finish, patches of oxidation and some losses. The travel case sound and with good colour to exterior leather, the lid with clipped oblong cartouche hand-engraved “C.J. Murray,” structurally sound, the interior lid silk perished and discoloured, the velvet with good colour, slight wear to upper edges.

Comments: Instruments by this maker are increasingly hard to find in any condition. This one is a real exception, and particularly collectable for its overall very good condition and completeness with its original case. Unusually accurate over such a wide scale, and very much a collector’s piece.

Charles Wastell Dixey (1798-1880), was an optical and mathematical instrument maker to Queen Victoria. The company, known as C.W. Dixey was founded by William Fraser in 1777 at 3 New Bond Street, then, as now, an extremely exclusive address in London. In 1824 Charles Wastell Dixey and his uncle George Dixey bought the business and made it one of London’s most distinguished instrument companies.