Hand held tachometer maker ?

This topic has 10 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 17 April 2026 at 10:12 by bernard towers.

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16 April 2026 at 07:25 #844659
sparky mike
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@sparkymike
My daughter came over yesterday from the other side of England and brought me a vintage hand held tachometer for my birthday. Now that is the sort of present that I like !! Anyone know the makers name as it just has a number on instruction leaflet and dial. I wondered if it was army or airforce issue, due to the numbers.

Mike.
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16 April 2026 at 09:23 #844693
Nigel Graham 2
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@nigelgraham2
A fine present!

If you quote the numbers here, someone may well be able to identify the Service.
16 April 2026 at 09:25 #844694
noel shelley
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@noelshelley55608
A gut feeling is it could be Japanese – the look of the instruction leaflet. I bought an instrument in 1971 that had similar look to the instructions. It’s not a Smiths. Noel.
16 April 2026 at 11:54 #844732
sparky mike
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@sparkymike
The locks on the case look to be either nickel plated or silver plate, so my guess is that is possibly pre war. (1940’s) I certainly don’t mind if it is Japanese as they work to very high standards. Mike.
16 April 2026 at 12:14 #844736
peak4
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@peak4
This one looks pretty similar, with French instructions

https://www.bibelotandco.fr/en/old-tachometer-in-its-box-n188361-model-g3-old-collection-tool-112720

https://auctionet.com/en/1549215-cylindertryckindikator-sextant-samt-tachometer-bl-a-g-w-lyth-stockholm/images#image_3

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1883858974/schuchardt-schutte-antique-tachometer?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/vintage-amthor-testing-instrument-co-portable-tac-695-c-a234586b41

It’s almost as though the same basic body design, with the sliding speed change, was refined over the years, and perhaps made under licence or bought in and finished slightly differently

Bill
16 April 2026 at 13:11 #844740
sparky mike
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@sparkymike
There is an identical one on ebay at the moment and on rear view there is the identification letters, “E & V ltd. 4/27 The numbers might be the date of manufacture. E & V could be Evershed and Vignales, who made meggers for the electrical industry. Mike.
16 April 2026 at 16:16 #844750
bernard towers
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@bernardtowers37738
EXCH–UB on the dial by my reckoning
16 April 2026 at 17:01 #844755
David Senior
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@davidsenior29320
I suspect they were available from different suppliers – either there was copying going on or they were branded for the seller.

I have one in that style with Cook & Co on the dial, and another one with Goodbrand & Co, plus others that have a slightly different slider for the speed range changing.

Dave
17 April 2026 at 08:49 #844833
sparky mike
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@sparkymike
Evershed & Vignales also made tachometers according to Graces Guide, so very likely the maker. One piece of my kit is missing and is an extender rod, but should be quite easy to turn up from a bit of silver steel. The end of each accessory has a very fine split on each side of the tube to make it a tight fit on the spindle, but have no idea how they cut such a fine slot. It is around 0.015 wide. Very thin disc cutter ?
17 April 2026 at 09:31 #844842
noel shelley
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@noelshelley55608
The extension shaft would most likely be chromed brass. Noel.
17 April 2026 at 10:12 #844861
bernard towers
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@bernardtowers37738
Most probably slitting saws Sparky, I have them down to 0.003″ for doing hairspring slits
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