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Up for sale is a remarkable pair of vintage Davis Instruments Vane Anemometers, directly sourced from local coal mining history in Southern Illinois.These airflow measurement instruments were used in underground ventilation monitoring at the famous U.M.W.A. Old Ben No. 25 Coal Mine (located near West Frankfort / Franklin County, IL). Vintage mine safety and air monitoring equipment like this is getting increasingly hard to find, especially with direct local provenance to a major underground union operation.Item Condition & Details
Manufacturer: Davis Instrument Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Baltimore, MD)Quantity: 2 Vane Anemometers included in this listing.Mine Provenance: Used at U.M.W.A. Old Ben Mine #25.Mechanical Condition: Both units feature delicate internal gearing and delicate fan vanes. Sold as vintage collectables/display items; function for precision air measurement is uncalibrated and not guaranteed.Cosmetic Condition: Showing authentic vintage shop/mine patina, light finish wear, and minor dust/aging consistent with active underground coal mine service. Please inspect all photos closely for exact cosmetic details.Includes: Both anemometers.
Historical Context Old Ben No. 25 was one of Southern Illinois' premier underground shaft mines operated by the Old Ben Coal Company and staffed by United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) miners. Vane anemometers were essential daily safety tools used by mine examiners and ventilation engineers to ensure adequate air circulation to prevent dangerous gas buildups underground.
