Kaiserliche Und Königliche Kriegsmarine Aneroid Barometer

The Austro-Hungarian Navy was the naval force of Austria-Hungary and its official name in German was" Kaiserliche Und Königliche Kriegsmarine" translated to "Imperial and Royal War Navy" but normally abbreviated to "K.u. K. Kriegsmarine". The K.u. K. was created after the formation of the Dual Monarchy in 1867 and by 1915 a total of 33,735 naval personnel were serving in the Kriegsmarine. Ships of the K.u. K. Kriegsmarine were designated SMS, for Seiner Majestät Schiff or His Majesty's Ship. After the First World War, both Austria and Hungary were deprived of their coasts, and their Navies were abolished by the victorious Allied powers. Their former ports on the Adriatic Sea, such as Trieste, Pola, Fiume, and Ragusa, became parts of Italy and Yugoslavia.

Our aneroid barometer is a rare survivor from this little know Navy and whilst not dated we would estimate it was manufactured in the late 19th or early 20th century. The silvered dial is engraved 'Holosteric Barometer''. 'Holosteric' is defined as:- 'wholly constructed of solids, without any liquid'. The dial is numbered 446 and below further engraved 'K.u. K Kriegsmarine'. The bottom of the dial features a Celsius Thermometer with a scale from 10C-50C. The reverse of the brass case is further engraved K.u. K. K.M. and below PHNB enclosed within a circle, a device repeated on the dial. This is the manufacturers mark, made up of the initials of the founders Pertuis, Hulot, Naudet and are regarded as one of the world's premier barometer makers, established in Paris in 1860and still in business today.

The instrument is in very good original condition and the only issue is at some stage it looks as though the silvered dial has been rather too enthusiastically cleaned resulting in some surface scratching to the silvering, but when wall hung this is hardly noticeable. The case profile is exaggeratedly dished and the barometer carries a brass hanging loop to the top, which locates on a brass hook mounted on a custom made mahogany mount which sets the instrument off perfectly when displayed. The barometric pressure and tell-tale hands function as intended as does the thermometer. A rare and desirable K.u. k. Kriegsmarine barometer by one of the very best makers which would make a fine yet functional addition to a specialist K.u. K Kriegsmarine or barometer collection.