An extremely rare, pair of early British aviation altimeters, by John Barker & Co - Kensington, London.

Circa - 1910.

It is unusual to find one of these instruments -- to find two together is almost unique. Due to this situation, we are selling them together.

Very similar to small pocket barometers of the period. Pocket barometers were often used by balloonists and explorers, due to the instrument also functioning as an altimeter.

These instruments are very unusual, as they are specifically for aviation use. Very occasionally small barometers are marked for balloonists, but, it is almost unique to discover a maker dedicating a pocket altimeter to this pioneering activity.

Both are also very small (weight being the enemy in early fragile machines) The dial is 1.7" (4.5cm)
It is likely that this was the only instrument carried by a pilot at that time.

Two highly collectable instruments from the dawn of aviation.