A very good leather cased lacquered and gilt brass aneroid pocket barometer altimeter manufactured by Short & Mason for Bailey, Birmingham c1920

Pocket barometer having 1¾” silvered and die struck dial, the outer bezel operated altitude ring calibrated in feet with a range from 0 – 3,000ft divided down to 10ft, inner barometric scale with a range from 28” – 31” divided to 1/100”, the upper part marked “Compensated for Temperature”, the lower signed by the retailer, “R. Bailey, 14 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham.” Blued steel pointer, bevelled glass.

Vidie pattern movement, the bridge dated “14/12/20” and signed by the finisher “JB,” the chassis struck with “Short & Mason” logogram, motive force from a single 1¼” nickel alloy capsule. Pendant and bow, calibration port to verso with engraved inscription, “H & M from C & M.”

Presented in its correct clam shell, oxblood leather over timber, blue silk and velvet lined travel 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 well across the indicated range.

The instrument in excellent condition, the gilt and lacquered brass case with some losses, however retaining much original finish. The leather travel case remaining structurally sound, release button and localised leather replaced, overall with good shine and appearing crisp.

Comments: Short & Mason at their height! This instrument was manufactured at a time when Short & Mason instruments appeared as some of the very best available, the pride in workmanship evident by the logogram struck into the chassis and the finisher’s signature and date to bridge.

This is a lovely instrument, intensely practical with its open scale, ideally suited to metrological observation and low altitude exploration. Definitely one for the collector, or an ideal gift.