Sestrel Marine Barometer

A good original example manufactured by Henry Browne and Son Ltd, of Barking, London. Henry Browne was born in Lewis, Sussex in 1842 and died in Barking in 1935. His company became a well-respected English instrument maker, manufacturing and selling fine quality compasses, ship's clocks, inclinometers, sextants, and barometers for over 140 years and the Trade Mark brand 'Sestrel' was used on all their equipment. The company experienced boom conditions the 1970s but collapsed in the 1980s due to the popularity of cheaper plastic compasses over traditional brass ones.

Our aneroid barometer has a good clear dial which as well as the brand name is marked 'Compensated' meaning it is compensated for temperature variations. Below it is marked 'm. m. Hg' together with 'English Made Marine Barometer'. Barometric pressure is sometimes reported in inches (in/Hg) or millimetres of mercury (mmHg). In this case the scale is calibrated on the outer scale from 950 to 1050 Millibars and on the inner is marked from 71-79 millimetres of mercury. The tell-tale marker is in place and rotates to mark the pressure when recordings are taken.

The case is made from solid brass and shows signs of minor age related wear but it remains in excellent overall condition. Measured on the back rim is 8" or 20 cm whilst the glass diameter is 6" or 15 cm ; it depth is 3 1/2 or 9 cm. The back plate is drilled for bulkhead mounting for use on board ship but is entirely appropriate serving ashore and is a perfect size being neither too small or too big. We currently have it on test here on the office wall and it is recording well the current changes in barometric pressure.