Tell me about this Compresso Moto Meter?

[jeffbirnbaum@hotmail.com]

I need your help. I’m new to this forum and new to the antique auto scene.  

 

I purchased this Compresso Moto Meter at an auction and I’m not even sure how or what it was used for. The head is made of brass and under the lens it is marked “13578 PAT. March 18, 1919. T.” It measures 11” tall.  

 

What can you tell me about it?

 

 

 

[viv w]

It's a compression tester. You remove a spark plug, then push the rubber bung part against the plug hole while someone cranks the engine over and it will tell you what compression the cylinder is making.

[Spinneyhill]

Compression gauge. Push it into the spark plug hole, turn the engine over, until it stabilises, read. Press the lever to release pressure.

 

Bother! Viv responded as I did!

[gwells]

I wouldn't assume the instrument is as early as the patent date. The measurement range suggests a later date of manufacturer, as, for example, Model Ts and Model As had compression numbers in the 50-65 psi range. Might even be early post-WWII, but that's just a guess.

 

One further note: Motor Meter was a German company unrelated to the Boyce Motormeter company. Motor Meter made shop instruments like this and was bought out by Bosch in the '60s.

[jeffbirnbaum@hotmail.com]

Very helpful info.  Thanks for your quick replies!!

[D Yaros]

21 hours ago, gwells said:

One further note: Motor Meter was a German company unrelated to the Boyce Motormeter company. Motor Meter made shop instruments like this and was bought out by Bosch in the '60s.

Correct me if I am wrong, but does not the gauge face read "Moto Compresso Meter, " as opposed to Motor?

 

Boyce also is moto, as opposed to motor.  Per Wikipedia "the Boyce MotoMeter Company in Long Island City, New York, was founded in 1912 by the German immigrant Hermann Schlaich.

[D Yaros]

A bit more info.  It appears that the Moto Meter Corp. has Wisconsin roots: 

 

The National Gauge and Register Company was founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1910. This company made parts for the automobile industry. Over time, the company was also known by the names Hans Motor Equipment Company and National Gauge and Equipment Company. In 1929, the Moto-Meter Company took over this business and renamed it Moto-Meter Gauge & Equipment Company. In 1934, this business was purchased by the Electric Auto-Lite Company, assuming that name. The Electric Auto-Lite Company remained in business in La Crosse until 1959.

 

Here a few links to cut and paste into one's browser showing some of the gauges manufactured; vacuum, amps, etc -

 

https://img.etsystatic.com/il/152f2a/1488726946/il_570xN.1488726946_i48g.jpg?version=0
https://img.etsystatic.com/il/c0df2d/1483417886/il_570xN.1483417886_imht.jpg?version=0

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/175089.html?1292005846

 

Did Boyce Moto Meter specifically add "Boyce" to its brand name to distinguish it from Moto Meter Corp. or, since both companies have facilities in Long Island City, NY are they  affiliated/one and the same?

Edited June 29, 2018 by D Yaros (see edit history)

[gwells]

I was basing my comments on this link:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motometer

 

With the additional info since provided, it may or may not be relevant.

[Lostwrench1]

I assume it can also be used to display the power of about to be released digestive gas.