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conventional movement tensioned on a U-spring
brass, cardboard, cast iron, glass, nickel silver, steel
This Soviet aneroid barometer, manufactured by the Moscow-based Hydrometpribor plant in the mid-1950s, represents a closely related yet structurally distinct variant of the BAMM family, combining professional purpose with a simplified and robust design intended for long-term operation.
The barometer is housed in a strict cylindrical case made of black molded plastic, characteristic of Soviet measuring instruments of this period. The material features a matte surface with a soft satin sheen and demonstrates good resistance to mechanical stress and environmental changes. The bezel is fixed: it is secured to the case by three evenly spaced screws and permanently retains the flat mineral glass. This design choice emphasizes structural rigidity and durability rather than modularity or ease of disassembly.
A functional addition is a steel suspension ring mounted at the top of the case, allowing the barometer to be wall-mounted or suspended for use in laboratories, classrooms, or observation spaces. The rear cover of the case is flat and solid, incorporating technical openings for mounting and adjustment, further reinforcing the utilitarian character of the instrument.
The open dial is made of dense cardboard. This design visually links the measurement scale to the “heart” of the instrument. The surface of the dial retains a warm, light tone typical of Soviet printed materials of the 1950s.
The barometric scale is arranged concentrically and calibrated in two systems of measurement:
This dual-scale arrangement reflects a transitional period in Soviet meteorology, when traditional mercury-based pressure units coexisted with emerging international standards. The scale is rendered with clear, restrained typography, ensuring excellent legibility and practical usability.
The main indicating hand of the barometer is made of blued steel—thin, resilient, and visually austere, with a deep dark tone contrasting against the dial background. The trend indicator hand, as well as the knurled control knob for its adjustment, are made of German silver (nickel silver), emphasizing the functional separation of elements and adding a distinctive metallic accent. The trend hand allows the user to fix a reference pressure value and observe its change over time.
Through the open dial, the barometer’s movement can be observed, ensuring the instrument’s precise operation. Its construction follows an earlier, “classical” aneroid scheme, predating the widespread use of self-elastic beryllium bronze alloys. Here, two aneroid capsules are assembled into a single stack to increase sensitivity; they are made of a silvery copper–nickel alloy (nickel silver). The elastic recovery of the capsule membranes is provided by an external U-shaped steel spring. Motion is transmitted to the indicating shaft via a fine fusee chain.
Overall, this barometer stands as a compelling example of the pragmatic aesthetic of Soviet postwar instrument making. The fixed bezel, open dial, and suspension ring point to a tool designed primarily for continuous practical use rather than decorative display. Functional clarity, material economy, and durability define its character, making this instrument a representative artifact of Soviet meteorological equipment intended for education, observation, and everyday professional practice.
