Whats this ?
 

I picked this up a while ago with a job lot of other electronics and bits , but ive no idea what it actually is.

The vendor had no idea either and it was going to be discarded into a skip if no one wanted it , so i bought it for a few pounds just to save it from landfill.

Its actually run by clockwork and there is a throw lever on the back of the unit and when activated it starts to tick.

Also through the front glass you can see a wire or a graph line (im not sure which)

Its made of metal/Glass and its quite heavy too and from the 40s i believe , but thats as much as i know.

Re: Whats this ?
 

The label says it's a height recorder (barograph) - beyond that, I know nothing about it, but it'll get you started...

Alan

Re: Whats this ?
 

I'd agree height or rather altitude recorder. Max height 8000 metres, so probably aviation related. Able to record for 2 4 or 10 hours.

EDIT:
Company is still trading, and makes aviation instruments.

http://www.winter-instruments.de/

Re: Whats this ?
 

Investigating a little further on the net armed with the information youve both supplied , ive found a bakelite version made by the winter company for Luftwaffa Bombers in WW2 ,however mine is a metal version so im not sure if my version is more modern or not.
I might actually contact the Winter company to see if they can shed any light on mine as they have a History section on their website so hopefully they have some archives.

Re: Whats this ?
 

With clockwork portability (not to mention reliability) i can see how this would be of use for diagnosing a suspect altimeter (cruise at an {indicated} height for 20 minutes, climb 5,000' and repeat)

Max altitude of 8,000m is probably an admission of how unreliable readings can be at higher altitudes.

Not something that should be in a skip..

Dave

Re: Whats this ?
 

Maybe the largest users of these things are glider pilots. They had to carry them to prove they'd flown for requited times and height gains to win awards, contests etc. So you may also find provision for fitting it with a wire and lead crimped security seal. They also take photos of landmarks to prove they've done required distances in cross country flights.

At 8000m you'd be far above where you'd have to be running an oxygen mask as well. Not an unreasonable full scale for the job

Otherwise something military grey in colour, labelled in German, and you can't quite see inside it, but you can start it ticking....

David

Re: Whats this ?
 

I had a more modern version in my glider when competition flying. That looks to me like late 50s construction of one.

See what Winter Instruments say ..... the build number (werk nr) should identify it quite well.

Colin