Object Details
- manufacturer
- Arnold & Dent
- Description
- This instrument is a specialized timekeeper designed for finding longitude at sea. Its form is that of the standardized 19th-century marine chronometer. It was transferred to the Smithsonian from the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey. John Roger Arnold, son of chronometer maker John Arnold, and Edward John Dent (1790-1853) were in business together from 1830-1840 at 84 Strand, London. Charles Frodsham took over Arnold’s business after Arnold’s death in 1843. E. J. Dent, who had started making chronometers in 1814, continued in business until his death, when others continued the firm under various names and at various addresses. The business continues today.
- Mechanism details:
- Escapement: Earnshaw, spring detent
- Duration: 48-hour
- Power source: Spring drive with chain and fusee
- Balance spring: helical, blued steel
- Winding key, stamped "1131"
- Bowl details:
- Brass bowl, fitted with a sprung cylindrical inner bowl as a dust cover (original work); "1131" stamped on bottom inside of bowl
- Dimensions: 4.17" dia. across bezel x 2.7"
- Brass fittings, brass gimbal
- Bezel screwed and milled
- Crystal convex, plain
- Dial details:
- Engraved and silvered brass
- Indicates hours, minutes, seconds, winding level up and down
- Inscription: "ARNOLD & DENT, / 84. Strand, London No 1131”
- Hands: Gold, spade, with blued steel seconds hand
- Case details:
- Mahogany
- Three-part, glazed center section
- Brass side handles and escutcheon
- Bone roundel at front
- Inscriptions: "1131" engraved on roundel on case. "U.S.C.S." engraved on case lid
- References:
- 1. Gould, Rupert T. The Marine Chronometer. London: Holland Press, 1960.
- 2. Mercer, Tony. Chronometer Makers of the World. Essex: NAG Press, 1991.
- 3. Mercer, Vaudrey. John Arnold & Son. London: Antiquarian Horological Society, 1972.
- 4. Mercer, Vaudrey. Edward John Dent and His Successors. London: Antiquarian Horological Society, 1977.
- 5. Whitney, Marvin E. The Ship's Chronometer. Cincinnati: American Watchmakers Institute Press, 1985.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
- 1839
- ID Number
- ME.314612
- catalog number
- 314612
- accession number
- 206050
- Object Name
- Chronometer
- Box Chronometer
- Physical Description
- brass (overall material)
- glass (overall material)
- mahogany (container material)
- steel (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 6 1/8 in x 6 1/2 in x 6 in; 15.5575 cm x 16.51 cm x 15.24 cm
- overall - from catalog card: 6 1/8 in x 6 in x 6 3/4 in; 15.5575 cm x 15.24 cm x 17.145 cm
- place made
- United Kingdom: England, London
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Mechanisms
- Time and Navigation
- Measuring & Mapping
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_855353
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-a1a6-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
