A good silver pocket barometer altimeter thermometer compendium by Short & Mason retailed by Thornhill, London, c1902

Silver pocket barometer having 1½” die struck silvered stepped dial, rotating bezel-driven outer altitude ring calibrated in feet with a range from 0 – 8,000ft divided to 100ft, stations at the 1000s. Inner barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 23” – 31″ divided to 20th”. The upper centre dial with standard meteorological terms, the lower portion with semi-circular thermometer set on a decorated register showing degrees Fahrenheit with a range of 0° – 130°. Fine blued steel pointer set below a bevelled glass. The standard Vidie pattern movement driven from a 1″ diameter nickel alloy capsule tensioned on a C spring, constructed principally in lacquered brass and raised over a circular chassis. All contained within an inner spun brass case.

The whole contained within a classical heavy silver lidded desk case, London silver hallmarks to inner lid and base for the silversmith “W.F.W” and date letter “g” for 1902, the circumference engraved “Thornhill, London.”

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions. The movement working well with good sensitivity, accuracy falling away at the very low pressures as can be expected with instruments of this age, see dynamic test performance chart.

The dial crisp and clean with good definition. The altitude ring turning with correct resistance but freely. The thermometer reading to within 1° at 70°F. The silver case with overall very good shine, some minor marks and very light abrasions, the lid shutting precisely. The hallmarks crisp and well struck.

Comments: The barometer undoubtedly the work of Short & Mason, the movement initialled by the finisher. The silver case hallmarked for 1902 and silversmith William Frederick Wright.

This is a lovely instrument with good aesthetics, original in all respects. Clearly an instrument of exceptional quality, evident in the execution and manner in which the dial is divided, the quality of the movement, and the very much better than average accuracy.

William Frederick Wright registered the “W.F.W” hallmark in 1895. Thornhill were very upmarket silversmiths and retailers based in Bond Street, London.

Very much for the collector or as a special gift.