Unusual Hunter Cased Pocket Barometer Retailed by Newton No 1680 c.1900

A very unusual compensated full hunter cased aneroid pocket barometer altimeter No 1680 for Newton & Co, London c1900. Pocket barometer altimeter having 1¾” silvered and die struck dial, the outer altimetric scale calibrated in feet with a range from 0 – 10,000ft divided down to 100ft, inner barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 21” – 31” and divided to 1/10th. The upper part with standard meteorological terms and “Compensated,” the lower signed “Newton & Co, Makers to the Government, 3 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, London.” Fine blued steel pointer under bevelled glass, bezel driven needle index. Conventional Vidie pattern movement driven from a single 1⅛” nickel silver capsule tensioned on a C spring, all raised over a stepped circular chassis. The whole contained within a semi barrel form brass case, flip open lid with engraved inscription “R.F.S. from R.S., 17th March 1900,” the verso with calibration port. Pendant and bow. Presented in its original oxblood leather over timber, blue velvet and cream silk lined case, the inner lid with “Newton & Co” logogram. 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 exceptionally well, maximum error of 0.2” across the entire scale. The dial crisp and clean, some minor ageing, very faint radial marks from centre, only visible in critical incident light. The glass clean and chip free. The brass hunter case retaining a very good proportion of its original lacquered finish, minor points of oxidation, the bow worn, the lid closing securely. The leather travel case in very good condition, the external leather with good colour and light wear, the area to the release button repaired. Structurally sound, positive closure and release to catch. The fabric interior crisp with excellent colour density to blue velvet, the lid silk with some peripheral discolouration. Comments: A really excellent instrument. Hunter style cases for pocket barometers are very unusual, making a very pleasing addition to an already lovely instrument. Very much a collector’s piece.