Edwardian Mining Stick Barometer by Thomson Skinner & Hamilton of Glasgow

For sale, an Edwardian oak cased mining stick barometer by Thomson, Skinner & Hamilton Ltd of Glasgow.

This example is of typically robust form given its intended use and is created with a straight golden oak case with enclosed cistern tube and chamfered edge detail. The top of the body has an inverted three sectioned ivorine scale plate reading 28 to 33 inches of barometric pressure with makers name to the top and Fahrenheit thermometer to the side, all of which are enclosed behind a brass framed glass plate. It also maintains a Vernier scale to the side of the scale operated by a brass knob to the front for taking accurate reading and for comparison with earlier observations.

Similar examples were produced by Negretti & Zambra and are thus described in their catalogues:

“It having been observed, that explosions of gas in mines mostly occur when the barometer is very low (showing diminishing atmospheric pressure), it is important that a good barometer should be at hand, for observation by managers and others”.

Barometers of this type were being manufactured as early as the 1860’s, however their use for mining was made compulsory by an act of parliament in 1872. It was understood by this point that a mine explosion was preceded by a corresponding reduction of atmospheric pressure so these instruments had a very real safety purpose for those working in the harsh conditions of a mine.

Section 26 of the Mines (Coal) Regulations Act of 1872 stated that, “After dangerous gas has been found in any mine, a barometer or thermometer shall be placed above ground in a conspicuous position near the entrance to the mine.”

Negretti & Zambra in their “Treatise on Meteorological Instruments” also state the following:

“The inflammable & suffocating gases, known to coal miners as fire damp and choke damp, are specifically heavier than air; and as they issue from the fissures of the mine, or are released from the coal, the atmospheric pressure tends to drive them into the lowest and least ventilated galleries. Consequently a greatly reduced atmospheric pressure will favour a sudden outflow or advance of gas; whence may result cases of explosion or suffocation. It has been found that these accidents occur for the most part about the time of a low barometric column. A reliable barometer should, therefore, be systematically consulted by those entrusted with the management or control of coal mines, so that greater vigilance and caution may be enjoined on the miners whenever the mercury falls low, especially after it has been unusually high for some days.”

Established in 1903 with a Head Office at 38 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, catalogues from their first year of trading describe Thomson, Skinner & Hamilton as providers of, “Chemical and scientific apparatus for chemists, assayers, smelters, mines, iron & steel works, sugar refineries, schools colleges, universities, bacteriologists etc”.

On the catalogue evidence, this recently established company seems to have initially attempted to appeal to a wide number of industries but by 1906, they had carved a niche in providing scientific products to educational establishments, describing themselves as providing, “scientific apparatus for the subjects of mensuration, hydrostatics, pneumatics, light, heat & meteorology for the use of schools, colleges and technical institutions”. This line of business was to form the backbone of their future trade.

By 1951 the Head Office had moved to 137 Sauchiehall Street with a manufacturing premises at Clifton Works, 24 Harland St, Glasgow and were described as distributors of all types of laboratory glassware.

Just four years later in 1955, according to The Edinburgh Gazette, the company seems to have gone into voluntary liquidation although some successful actions to save the organisation must have followed as evidence of company advertising certainly exists into the 1970’s.

Scant information remains for this interesting twentieth century scientific apparatus manufacturer so there is more research required but they seem to have specialised firstly in general scientific equipment for educational establishments and then by the 1950’s further specialised into the production of laboratory glassware. By this point, the MD of the company was a Mr Clift and there is no mention of the founding members remaining on the board.

Given the information available and the style of the instrument, it is likely that this instrument was produced within the first years of the company’s existence and prior to its focus on providing laboratory equipment. Circa 1903 – 1910.

This relic from Britain’s industrial past is both an interesting historical piece and a very smart looking barometer in superb condition and in good working order.