Pocket Altimeter

Elliott Bros
No. 1254.
Thousand feet

Pocket barometer & altimeter, Elliott Bros, 1864 — 1886. The face bears the name Elliott Bros and is marked No.1254 and bears the legend ‘Thousand Feet’. The instrument measures 4in. diameter and 1inch thick. The scale is adjustable by means of a pocket watch style winder. The mechanism inside the case has the date "20/12/15", preceded by "RB". The Altimeter could be from 1915 but the letters RB cannot be traced.

These instruments were made in very large numbers and were popular with walkers and mountaineers, as well as professional surveyors.The only evident fault is that the indicator hand is detached and the very fine operating chain link on the mechanism is broken.

The instrument was donated to the RAA by Malcolm Yates.