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Mainspring gauge

human history
  • Description

    Mainspring and barrel gauge, Lépine

    brass gauge with numbers on both long edges alongside rectangular indentations in gauge. Hole punched at either end and 5 double circles incised on front and 4 double circles incised on back. Engraved "Lepine Ressorts / Lepine" and "PR"

    This gauge shows barrel diameters, as well as width of the spring.

    Over the years, both the width and thickness (strength) of mainsprings has been measured in different ways on various gauges, ranging from brass or steel plates with notches of various sizes cut in them for measuring the width, and narrowly tapered slots for measuring the thickness or strength. In later times micrometers were used, which more accurately measured in hundredths of a millimetre. The correct thickness of a spring also had to relate to the diameter of the barrel into which it fitted, to give the correct number of turns per day to the barrel.

  • Place
  • Accession Number
    2004.44.28
  • Accession Date
    21 May 2004
  • Other Id

    H293 (horology)

  • Department
Mainspring gauge, 2004.44.28, H293, © Auckland Museum CC BY

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