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A George V Royal Observatory mahogany and brass-mounted two day marine chronometer

USHER & COLE, LONDON, NO.2239. CIRCA 1918

Details

A George V Royal Observatory mahogany and brass-mounted two day marine chronometer
Usher & Cole, London, No.2239. Circa 1918
BOX: three-tier with recessed brass side handles, brass vacant shield cartouche to the top lid and brass escutcheon, with ivory plaque to the front inscribed USHER & COLE/TWO (Government mark) DAY/2239, brass gimbal and bowl numbered 239 to the inside -- 184 mm. square
DIAL: silvered and engraved, with Roman chapters, 56-hour up/down ring at XII and seconds ring at VI, signed USHER & COLE LONDON and numbered 2239 above the government mark, further inscribed in red wax MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY, all hands of blued steel -- 105 mm. diameter
MOVEMENT: spot-finished plates, numbered 239 behind the dial plate and 2239 along with the government mark on the top plate, chain and fusee with maintaining power, Earnshaw-type escapement with cut bimetallic balance and flat strip steel spring detent, cylindrical heat compensation weights, polished steel helical balance spring; tipsy key

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Tony Mercer, Mercer Chronometers, History, Maintenance & Repair, Mayfield, 2003, p.143.
Usher & Cole was a partnership of Joseph Usher (1832-1903) and his apprentice Richard Wright Cole (1840-1919). During the period 1914-1937 the company was based at 339 St John Street, Clerkenwell. They were chronometer makers to the Admiralty and after 1910 they bought movements from Mercer (see Mercer, p.143).
No.2239 was purchased for £39 in 1918. Later that year it was transfered to the naval base at Rosyth, Scotland. In 1921 it is recorded on the S.S. Stathos.

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