General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Metal body; synthetic mfr. plate

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

22.2 cm

Width

19.8 cm

Height

11.1 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Marine Transportation

Category

Communications

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

POCKLINGTON

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Toronto

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Thomas Pocklington Ltd. made and repaired surveying instruments in Toronto between 1925 and 1992. It was one of the few Canadian firms producing precision instruments before WWII. Thomas (b. 1882), the founder, was trained as an instrument maker in the U.K. He moved to Toronto in the early 20th century and worked for Consolidated Optical Co. until he started his own business in 1925. From that time until 1940 the firm occupied a location near what is now the Eaton centre; from 1940 to 1953 the firm occupied 30 Bridgman Ave (presently Tarragon Theatre); from 1953 to 1992 they occupied 208 Weston Rd. The CSTM has the Brightly circular dividing engine (CSTM ARTIFACT # 1992.1776) purchased by the firm in 1940. Thomas was succeeded by his son William, who was succeeded by his two sons John and Ronald. Very little is known about the small precision instrument industry in Toronto in the late 19th and early 20th century. Our growing collection of archival material and artifacts related to Pocklington, one of the leaders in that community, provides a more complete picture of this history. (Taken directly from acquisition proposal)

Function

Unknown

Technical

Instruments like this one document important phases in the history of this firm. This limiting switch represents the firm's involvement in WWII.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

On proper left: "ADMIRALTY PATTERN 3410/ SWITCH LIMITING A/S 4/ 1943/ THOS. POCKLINGTON LTD./ TORONTO". On proper front: "WARNING" followed by instructions for what to do when removing the switch/ A circular disk on the proper front, inset: "POSITION OF DOME" with an arrow. Just outside of disk on proper front: "HOUSED"/ "WORKING"

Missing

Appears complete.

Finish

Dark gray and silver-coloured metal

Decoration

N/A