The Crown looks like the Swedish Crown, as used on Swedish Timber, and other Swedish goods, might be a clue?

TomK,

here is a link to the manufacturer of the micrometer:

Home

they are in Rajkot, Gujarat, India

Hugh                                                             Amadeal Ltd

Thanks for pointing that out Chris – I stand corrected!

Hugh                                               Amadeal Ltd

On 7 January 2025 at 14:48 Tomk Said:

Hi

Just like to say thanks to all who replied to my query on this micrometer. Unfortunately the information that you have supplied  did not lead to any positive identification of the micrometer….

It’s still a mystery as to where it was made.

Thanks

Tom

I’m not surprised – identifying micrometers can be difficult because so many were made by many different makers.   The basic design is 19th century, but early models weren’t particularly accurate because precision threads are hard to make cheaply.   Later, the Americans and Swiss came up a way of grinding them, so for about 20 years all good micrometers came from those countries.   During that time plenty of firms in Europe and Japan made similar looking but somewhat inferior instruments – ordinary threads.   After the Germans cracked the secret in the 1930’s, UK government paid Moore & Wright to buy the wherewithal from Switzerland.

By 1940 I believe all major manufacturing countries had the technology needed to make high-end micrometers, but there were still plenty of firms selling the ordinary type, and these can be made almost anywhere.

Germany is a likely source – desperate for foreign currency after both World Wars and in the East under communism, they manufactured lots of stuff for sale abroad, at any quality from tat to top of the range.   France and Belgium did so on a lesser scale, and probably Italy, Spain, and all the Middle-European countries too.  Unbranded production shifted later to the Far East, so Hong Kong, Taiwan or Japan are possible.   British is less likely, as are US and Swiss, all of these specialising in better made rather than economy.

Export models tend to be unbranded so retailers can label them locally.  Without markings, not easy to tell the difference between a well-made micrometer from a famous maker, an inexpensive version made less carefully by the same firm, or a low-end imitation knocked out in a shed by A.N.Other.   Metric and Imperial markings only show who the maker hoped to sell too.

Tom’s example might be high-end or not – have a look at the thread with a microscope.  Another clue, requiring a good gauge block set, not a rusty ebay bargain, is to check the calibration across the full range.   Should be very close and regular, although a good old micrometer might fail due to wear and tear.   Better made micrometers in good condition tend to have a silky smooth feel, though this disappears gradually with use.

Reckon a book could be written on micrometer makers and how to identify their products.

Dave

On 7 January 2025 at 16:17 Roderick Jenkins Said:

…

 

I did wonder if it has anything to do with Windley Bros who have made surface plates and other metrology items at the Crown works for 120 years but I can find no sign that they used a crown as a logo.

Rod

I liked Windley, except they don’t seem to have made ordinary chucks!   The other turn-off is this example of a ‘Genuine Crown’ on ebay:

Has Rod’s Crown Trademark but I see it’s stamped ‘BRITISH MADE’ when the Windley and Crown Works both have English addresses.  They would have stamped their products ‘MADE IN ENGLAND’.

‘BRITISH MADE’ usually seems to mean Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, but might have stretched to Australia,  Canada, or even Hong Kong! The ‘MADE IN’ thing relates to tariffs and trade restrictions, mostly imposed in the first half of the 20th century.  Quite a lot of my Meccano collection is stamped “Fabrique en Angleterre“, even though mine was all sold in the UK!

Dave