Banjo Barometer

This Banjo Barometer was received from RAF Cranwell, having previously been presented to RAF Henlow before they merged in 1966.

A barometer provides information regarding the atmospheric pressure in the area, and this particular one also shows the temperature. This information can be used to determine likely changes in the weather, beneficial knowledge for the pilots where this barometer was on display.

The main areas of damage on the barometer when it arrived for treatment appeared to be caused by an impact, possibly of it dropping from the wall onto a hard floor.

A large piece of wood from the decorative pediment at the top of the barometer had broken off and been discarded, along with several smaller pieces. A brass finial (a decorative centrepiece on the top) has also been lost, likely in the same incident.  The glass lens covering the barometer dial had also shattered into many pieces, and three areas of veneer (thin decorative wood) had become detached from the surface.

This damage was paired with the common dust and dirt accumulated on an object over time, additionally a lot of tarnish causing the metalwork to become very dark.

To treat the object, the entire surface was cleaned to remove dust and dirt from the surfaces – a lot was removed, likely caused by soot from smoking that would have been common where it was originally displayed.

Extra work was required for the metal, with stronger solvents used to remove the dark tarnish from the surface, leaving the areas much brighter and similar to how they would have been when the object was first made.

All of the missing wood was replaced by cutting and carving new wood to the correct shape, utilising a wide variety of tools to ensure smooth curves that were accurate to the original appearance. New wood was also matched for the lost veneer and glued down to cover all the gaps. The replacement wood was stained, varnished and polished to match the original.

A new piece of glass was cut, drilled, and bevelled (ground to give an angle at the edge) and installed in the frame. The history needle of the barometer was then attached either side, and the pieces reassembled and tested to ensure the barometer was reading a correct result.