FRIEZ MARITIME COMMISSION SHIP BAROMETER WWII BAKELITE Start Price USD 450.00 Current Price USD 450.00 Time Left 14 days 1 hours 35 minutes Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 End Time Thursday, January 22, 2009 Location Grand Junction, Colorado See more about 'FRIEZ MARITIME COMMISSION SHIP BAROMETER WWII BAKELITE' Description This listing is for a FRIEZ U.S. Maritime Commission Barometer made in early 1943 by the legendary Friez of Baltimore, Md. This was produced after Bendix took over Friez, and by the low serial number, probably made in January or February of 1943. Bakelite case with brass reinforcements,only used in the VERY early instruments of the war as brass was being saved for more "critical" applications,( but a non-magnetic case is a MUST for a barometer). Fully jewelled movements, with twin capsules. Pictures of  this Friez movement shows the early ornate deco style top arm, again only used in the earliest variants. 4 1/2" white tan tone dial,( to match a Chelsea  white  dial ,( Chelsea did NOT make any U.S. Navy barometers, as they could not meet Navy standards with their French Movements, and as the Germans controlled France, I guess they didn't want to sell any to Chelsea.THEY do make one of the best clocks in the world, though.).. 6 1/2" case o.a. diameter, nice plexiglass lense,( unscratched). Serial # not issued,(pretty common during WWII, no time for foolishnesss, again an indicator of early war production. 6 1/2" o.a. diameter, spotless case. lense and dial. Nicest I have seen!.The U.S. Maritime Commission was charged with manning and equiping the many Liberty class ships being mass produced for the war effort. Towards 1944, it only took 9 days from keel laying to launching of the Liberty class freighter. Amazing feats, brought to fruition by the mind of Henry Kaiser, arc welding, and modular construction methods. Very accurate instrument in near pristine condition, as my photos show. Dent free case, new plexiglass lathe cut lense, VERY nice full sweep dial. Legendary FRIEZ accuracy, with fully jewelled movement and twin capsules, massive cast frame movement. This instrument has been ultrasonically cleaned, then sparingly lubricated with moebious clock oil to provide many years of trouble free service in weather predicting aboard your vessel. Finally it has been precision calibrated in my IDEAL-AEROSMITH calibration chamber to provide complete accuracy.Check out the calibration report for assurance of accuracy. THE REASON FOR THE"STRANGE READING" ON THE DIAL IS THAT I LIVE AT 4200 FEET IN ALTITUDE, WHERE THE AMBIENT BAROMETRIC PRESSURE IS 25.5" OF MERCURY,(or 860 MILLIBARS). GUARANTEED FREE SHIPPING TO U.S. FOR "BUY IT NOW"Check out my other items!Be sure to add me to your favorites list! Place a Bid!