Antique & Scientific Instruments U.K. |
BAROMETERS by J.B.Dancer
Coming from a line of barometer makers, it would seem inevitable that Dancer made all kinds of barometers. Many mercury tube based barometers are known and he even made the thermometers for Joules’ heat experiments. So far, I only have vacuum capsule barometers by Dancer –
This
English pocket barometer/ altimeter is the type used by Victorian
walkers to help find their way when walking in the mountains. It
comes in a dark leather covered, carrying case
and has a suspension ring from which it would hang in front of it's
owner's waistcoat. The silvered scale is marked from 21 to 31 inches
of mercury for barometric pressure (compensated for temperature) and
the outer rotating bezel is calibrated form 0 to 10,000 feet in
height (suitable for climbing in the Swiss Alps). The face is also
signed J.B.Dancer,
MANCHESTER,
and the barometer has a fine small
compass on the rear.
The instrument has a gilt brass case with access
for setting the scale, in the rear and is in
excellent condition.
An
antique holosteric barometer, on a carved oak
table stand, the card face
printed with the makers name J.B.DANCER,
Optician,
MANCHESTER.
This 4.5 inch diameter dial barometer has a scale 25 to
31 inches and the usual weather predictions. The spun brass case has
a suspension ring on top and set screw in the back. It has a plain
glass front with a set hand. The
single vacuum capsule mechanism has a fusee
chain driven pointer mounted on a sprung iron frame.
The barometer is in good working order, the glass is not chipped nor
cracked, the set hand moves smoothly and the scales are fine and
clear. The elaborately carved oak stand has no identifying marks but
is in the Oriental style so popular in the High Victorian times.
This
English pocket barometer/ altimeter is also a thermometer and compass
compendium. It comes on a bedside archway
gilt brass pocket watch/cufflink stand and has a suspension ring from
which it would hang in front of it's owner's waistcoat (or the
bedside stand at night). The
single vacuum capsule mechanism has a fusee
chain driven pointer, temperature compensated arm and a sprung lever.
The silvered scale is marked from 25 to 31
inches of mercury for barometric pressure (compensated for
temperature) and the outer rotating bezel is calibrated form 0 to
8,000 feet in height. The face is also signed J.B.DANCER,
Optician, MANCHESTER.
The
barometer has a mother of pearl compass and
mercury thermometer on the rear. The
compass is marked “Sinders patent 10841” and has “E
S W” & a star for North and a tiny lever to clamp the
compass when in transit. A 10 to 130 thermometer scale (degrees
Fahrenheit) is engraved in the case. The instrument has a gilt brass
case with access for setting the scale, in the rear and is in good
working order.
This
English pocket barometer/ altimeter is the type used by Victorian
walkers to help find their way when walking in the mountains. It
comes in a brown leather covered, hard carrying case and has a
suspension ring from which it would hang in front of it's owner's
waistcoat, in a similar way to how a pocket watch would be carried.
The silvered scale is marked from 23 to 31 inches of mercury for
barometric pressure (compensated for temperature) and the outer
rotating bezel is calibrated form 0 to 8,000 feet in height. The face
is signed J.B.DANCER,
Optician, MANCHESTER,
Compensated
and the barometer is engraved
J.H.Dewhurst (presumably
the first owner) on the rear.
The instrument has a gilt brass case with
rotating bezel for setting the reference pressure or hieght.
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