This is a wonderful Antique Elliott Brothers Galvanometer Telegraph Lineman's Detector In Wood & Brass dating to the late Victorian/ early Edwardian period (1870s-1920s). This version is unusual as it was designed to be used horizontally with a large bakelite and brass on/off switch.
In fairly good cosmetic, but untested, condition with surface scuffs and blemishes commensurate with age and use. The back wood panel is missing. Apparently, the linemen often used to leave if off when in the field to allow for quicker manual adjustments!
A very simple device, it is of a type used by telegraph linemen for qualitative fault finding on the line by indicating the presence of a current when connected to the circuit. The magnetic needle is deflected by an electromagnetic field. A form of early multimeter!
Made by Elliot Brothers Ltd, Century Works, Lewisham, London.
These early scientific instruments are very rarely seen other than in museum collections. A real find for collectors of telegraphy and test meters.
