A very scarce original issue Fishermans Aneroid Barometer by Negretti & Zambra No 295, issued by the Royal National Life Boat Institution c1883

Marine aneroid barometer having 5” enamelled and hand illuminated dial, calibrated in inches of mercury having a range from 26 – 31, the upper portion marked with basic forecasting instructions, “Barometer Falls for Warm, Wet, Or More Wind,” “Rises for Cold, Dry, Or Less Wind,” “Fisherman’s Aneroid Barometer.” The lower portion further marked “Issued by the Royal National Life Boat Institution, No 295,” signed by the maker “Negretti & Zambra, London.” Fine blued steel pointer, gilt brass telltale, all set beneath bevelled glass. Heavy brass bezel. Standard configuration Vidie pattern movement driven by a 3″ capsule tensioned on a C spring, raised over a cast steel chassis. The whole contained within its original zinc drum-form case, rear-mounted bulkhead fixing points, calibration adjustment port set at 4 o’clock.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The movement working very well.

The dial about perfect. Annotations clear and crisp, some losses to illuminations. The index moving freely but with correct resistance. Minor scratches to glass around brass telltale knob, otherwise condition excellent. The case displaying the patination that would have accrued through use at sea.

Comments: A really very hard to find early example of this sought-after marine barometer, this is one of the initial barometers issued by the RNLI to fishermen at the subsidised rate of 11 shillings and 6d, and were produced with unpainted zinc cases and plain brass bezels.  Later instruments marked “As Issued By…” were sold for £1 15 0, and were generally presented with painted metal or oak cases.

This very early RNLI marine barometer is very much a collector’s piece.