Elliott pocket barometer with finely engraved 2” silvered dial with barometric scale 26–31 inches of mercury, the upper part annotated “Hutchinson’s Improved Surveying Aneroid,” “Compensated” and “Keep the eye level with the needle.” The lower portion further annotated “In ascending point of needle goes up, on descending it goes down,” signed by the maker “Elliott Bros, 449 Strand, London” and serial number “2964.” Blued-steel pointer set beneath fine bevelled crystal. Rotating bezel with outer dial annotated “Hold this side uppermost,” “1000 [feet] up,” “1000 down,” fine scale marked in 100s of feet to plus and minus 1000. The case with side-mounted handle, the rear with compensation port at 4 o’clock. Contained in its original burgundy Moroccan leather, blue velvet and cream silk-lined case.

Hutchinson’s instruments are very rare.  Those attributes unique to Hutchinson may include the side-mounted handle and the novel up and down scale to the outer dial, though variations of this are found on many other instruments. The exhaustive instructions to the dial lend much to this very attractive instrument. The well made movement responds well to pressure change with good progression. Slight colouration to the dial, the case with very light wear retains virtually all its original lacquer. The leather case with minor contemporaneous repairs.

The rear engraved “W.V. Scudamore,” this instrument remains in good, crisp condition overall.

Brigadier-General Walter Victor Scudamore (1866-1947), Royal Engineers, was born in India and spent most of his career in the Indian Educational Service, with a posting as Executive Engineer, South Africa Railways, 1899-1902. He was educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, where he was included in the census for 1881.

Elliott Brothers is recorded in Banfield, Edwin, Barometer Makers and Retailers, 1660-1900 as working at 449 Strand from 1864-1886. The partnership between Frederick Henry and Charles Alfred Elliott was formed to take over the business of William Elliott & Sons when their father died in 1853. In 1857, the firm of Watkins & Hill was taken over and the company expanded rapidly, producing some of the best quality barometers of the time.

Dimensions: 3″ (inc. handle) x 1″ deep

Stock No: PB0378

Price: SOLD