U-tube type mercurial barometer
Datecirca 1850
Inventory NumberDW0758
ClassificationBarometer
Subject
Maker
Johann Georg Greiner, Jr.
1788 - 1860
User
Schlagintweit Brothers
1854 - 1858
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions4.5 x 97 x 5.1 cm (1 3/4 x 38 3/16 x 2 in.)
case: 12.7 x 101.8 x 7.5 cm (5 x 40 1/16 x 2 15/16 in.)
case: 12.7 x 101.8 x 7.5 cm (5 x 40 1/16 x 2 15/16 in.)
Material
Accessorieswhite wood case in leather cover; scale on rack & pinion, vernier, and two magnifiers; Reaumur thermometer
DescriptionA barometer consisting of a straight wooden staff with a rectangular cross section, inside of which runs a glass tube with mercury that makes a U-turn instead of having a cistern. A brass rail runs along the staff, its length adjustable by a bear that acts on one end of it that is toothed. The rail has several items mounted on it: a sliding scale in metal adjustable with brass knobs, an eyepiece that slides on the scale together with a caliper, another eyepiece close to the bottom of the barometer, and a thermometer (-10 to 30 degrees Reaumur).
Barometer scale "Par Zoll" 18 to 32.
Barometer scale "Par Zoll" 18 to 32.
Signedon metal piece, script: J.G. Greinier junior in Berlin
Curatorial RemarksBROKEN PIECE with mercury in it silvered scale.
FunctionA portable instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure. When used, it would be placed vertically (preferrably on a tripod). Before taking a reading, the scale would be adjusted to have its zero at the height of the mercury in the lower side of the U-tube with one of the eyepieces. Then the reading would be taken from the scale on the upper part of the barometer at the place of the mercury level with the help of the eyepiece that has the vernier.
Its thermometer is used to make corrections to the readings at temperatures different from the standard.
Its thermometer is used to make corrections to the readings at temperatures different from the standard.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased in 1959. Donated to CHSI April 4, 1986.
Historical AttributesThis thermometer apparently went on the Schlagintweit expedition to India between 1854 and 1858.
Johann Georg Greiner, Jr.
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: case; loose padding for instrument in case
Object number: DW0759
C. F. Casella & Co. Ltd.
Date: circa 1920
Accessories: Card and tags indicate there should be a leather carrying case, strap, and 3 legs for support. However, this instrument has been stored by itself.
Object number: DW0642
Sterling P. Fergusson
Date: 1890-1910
Object number: 1998-1-0622
