A very unusual leather cased aneroid pocket barometer altimeter No. G1033 by Short & Mason, retailed by James Lucking c1930

Pocket barometer having 1¾” silvered and die struck pillar mounted dial, outer bezel operated altitude ring calibrated in feet with a range from 0 – 8,000ft divided down to 100ft, inner barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 23” – 31” divided down to 1/10th. The upper part marked “Compensated for Temperature” and serial “No. G1033,” the lower signed by the retailer, “James Lucking, Birmingham, Leicester, Worcester, & Walsall.” Blued steel pointer, bevelled glass.

The conventional Vidie pattern movement of floating design, driven from a single 1” nickel alloy capsule tensioned on a C spring. The chassis struck with Short & Mason logogram. All contained within a semi barrel formed case, engine turned finisher to bezel, calibration port to verso, pendant and pinned bow.

Presented in its original oxblood leather over timber, green silk and velvet lined clam shell 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 exceptionally well with a maximum recorded error of 0.08” across the standard barometric scale (28 – 31” Hg), some drift noted at lowest pressure and a failure to resolve 23”.

The dial bright and clean, the glass damage free. The outer lacquered brass case retaining much original finish. some losses to verso. The leather travel case structurally sound, the outer leather covering crisp and with good lustre, snap button and leather over replaced. The internal fabric sound and with good colour, showing minimal signs of ageing.

Comments: Outwardly, this is a conventional looking instrument, the departure being the method by which the movement is fitted into the case. The mechanism is contained between twin plates divided by supporting pillars, the upper plate being the dial. This might be an advantage in assembly negating the attachment of movement mounting ferrules to the case verso inside, but the extra work in making and fitting the dividing pillars probably yields little advantage. This is a very unusual form of construction and of some interest to the collector.

An aesthetically very attractive instrument of good quality, complete and in excellent condition. A collector’s or connoisseur’s piece alike.