Elizabeth,
From "American Engineering and Surveyors Instruments", 1873, it says "Pocket Aneroid [sic] Barometers, for ascertaining height, differences oflevel and meteorological changes, approach of storms, &c.

    These instruments as now made are nearly as portable as an ordinary watch, and yet are fully as accurate as the larger sizes.  They are of very great service to the engineer and tourist, as well as to the scientific observer, and are rapidly coming into general use.
    The ordinary styles indicate altitudes to 8,000 feet,and can be furnished, reading as high as 18,000 feet.

    They are all inclosed [sic] in neat morocco cases, and are accompanied by a hand-book of instructions."

prices for the different styles ranged from plain $18.00 to $50.00 in silver cases.

I don't know the size of your artifact, but this should give you some idea.

Barbara Ware

> Hi.  I am back with yet another mystery tool.  Has anyone heard of a
> surveying ameroid?  Someone actually thought it was a barometer--which it is
> definitely not. What was it used for?  How was it used?  Thanks.
>

--
Barbara E. Ware
Archivist/Librarian
Tampa Bay History Center
P.O. BOX 948
Tampa, FL 33601-0948
email: [log in to unmask]
homepage: http://www.tampabayhistorycenter.org

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