Rare Silver Gilt Full Hunter Pocket Barometer Retailed by Asprey c.1868

A rare full hunter cased silver gilt aneroid pocket barometer altimeter retailed by Asprey c.1868. Pocket barometer having ¼” silvered and die struck dial, the outer barometric scale calibrated in feet with a range from 0 – 15,000ft and divided down to 100ft, the inner barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 18” – 31” divided down to 1/10th, the upper part with standard meteorological terms, the lower signed by the retailer “Asprey, 166 New Bond St, London.” Fine embellished blued steel pointer, rotating bezel driven barb index. Pendant and pinned bow. The Vidie pattern movement driven from a single ¾” nickel alloy capsule tensioned on a C spring. Contained within a full hunter watch pattern case, the front cover released on a crown set button, the rear cover on a thumb catch, the cuvette with calibration port. Hallmarks for silver, 1868 and silversmith Richard Oliver to inside front and back covers, and hallmarks for silver and 1868 on pendant. Hand marked “FS 185” to back rim. Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The movement working exceptionally well across the full range 18 – 31 inches. The dial with some minor marks and signs of time, the silver case with some wear to gilt finish noticeable to front cover. Comments: Full hunter cased pocket barometers are very hard to find. This one is not only early in terms of the pocket sized barometer but with the added attraction of having the Asprey name and well struck full hallmarks. This instrument is also unusual in being a slightly smaller size than most pocket barometers. The maker of the movement is unknown but judging by the design and execution of the movement it is likely to have been the work of William Callaghan who had premises at 23a New Bond Street, just ⅓ of a mile away. A wonderful and useful gift for a special occasion.