ORIGINAL R & J BECK ENGLISH BAROMETER AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE – often called a SYMPIESOMETER (see definition below) to be mounted on the wall for convenience of reading and display. It features a rectangular framed housing for the barometer and temperature gauge. The framing appears to be made of Mahogany. It was listed as as 19th Century (Victorian Era) device , which would put it in the 1819 – 1901 range of years, but probably more likely 1860. It measures 37.5″ long x 5.5″ wide. Please see the “Condition” section for more details about its condition. Also, please inspect the photos carefully as they may answer many of your questions as well. I don’t know how to perform any adjustments to the gauges (as often there are). The Thermometer has gradations in Fahrenheit and Centigrade from 120 degrees F to 98 degrees (Blood Heat) to 0 degrees. The Barometer has gradations of barometric pressure from 31 to 26.5 and markings of FAIR, CHANGE, RAIN, STORMY. A S ympiesometer is a compact and lightweight type of barometer that was widely used on ships in the 19th century. The sensitivity of this barometer was also used to measure altitude. The sympiesometer consists of two parts. One is a traditional Mercury Thermometer that is needed to calculate the expansion or contraction of the fluid in the barometer proper. The other is the barometer, consisting of a J-shaped tube open at the lower end and closed at the top, with small reservoirs at both ends of the tube. The lower end of the J and its associated reservoir were filled with colored almond oil, while the upper portion and its reservoir were filled with hydrogen gas. Increasing air pressure would cause the oil to be pushed out of the lower reservoir and into the tube, compressing the hydrogen gas into the upper reservoir. The pressure was indicated by the position of the top of the oil. To correct for temperature, a sliding scale was used; the operator would first use the thermometer to set the scale and then measure the pressure from it. Please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions and I will do my best to answer them. The item “Antique ENGLISH MARINE BAROMETER Sympiesometer R & J BECK in MAHOGANY CASEWORK” is in sale since Friday, August 20, 2021. This item is in the category “Antiques\Science & Medicine (Pre-1930)\Scientific Instruments\Barometers”. The seller is “6fish25″ and is located in Escondido, California. This item can’t be shipped, the buyer must pick up the item.
- Maker: R & J Beck
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Time Period Manufactured: Pre-1930
