There is something wonderful about this mine testing detector, its ohms dial and brass fittings unmistakably built for serious wartime work rather than display. Housed in its own fitted wooden case with leather carrying strap, it is a genuinely unusual piece of early twentieth century military engineering history.
It's a specialised, high-precision portable electrical test set engineered to test circuit continuity, detonator bridge-wire resistance, and cable insulation integrity in naval sea mines, landmines, or military demolition circuits safely without triggering accidental detonation.
Product Specifications
Estimated Era: Early 20th century (c.1919-1924)
Material: Wood case with brass fittings and likely bakelite instrument panel
Colour: Brown
Maker: Robert. W. Paul, London N.11 (marked on panel)
Condition & Measurements
The wooden case shows honest age with surface wear, scuffs and marks consistent with genuine field use, hinges and clasp intact and functional. The instrument panel retains clear lettering and an intact glass dial, with the leather carry strap present and aged but sound.
Length: 28cm
Width: 20.5cm
Height: 12cm
Weight: 3940g
Electrical instrument pioneer Robert W. Paul merged his business with the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company in 1919 to form the Cambridge & Paul Instrument Co., Ltd. In 1924, the company shortened its name to the Cambridge Instrument Co., Ltd. This dual branding pins its production precisely to that 5-year post-WWI window.
