THE COLLECTIONS OF JANET & JACK THORNTON
Wednesday, 12 - Monday, 24 November 2025
A rare 'Ansell's Patent Fire-Damp Indicator', (Mining Gas Diffusion Meter) by Pitkin & Short, London, No.513,
Estimate $400 - $600
Realised: $200 plus premium
Lot Details
in 2" diameter lacquered brass circular case with screw-off glass front and engraved silvered dial, with Trademark miner's lantern. Blued steel hand with adjustment keyhole at 33". Maker: James Pitkin and Thomas W Short (of Marrat & Short, later Short & Mason), c.1870. Provenance: Ex Cordy's 2015. Removable brass back cap, which protects a porous tile, which is introduced to the suspected atmosphere, when, in about 45 seconds, the maximum effect is produced; the barometer reading indicates fire damp. Subsequently because the maximum point having been reached, effusion takes place, and the hand travels back to zero. (26")
