Antique Swedish dual-dial calipers

[cti4sw]

Hey, so this is probably a long shot but I'm looking for info & value on these vintage handmade dual-dial vernier calipers my grandfather has.

There is a handwritten inscription inside the box (shown) that says "H. Engstrom / Malmo, Sweden / Sept. 30, 1930. / 40 Crowns."



The left dial is metric to 0.1mm, the right is standard to at least 0.01" (I think). Composition is brass and carbon steel (it's magnetic). Not sure what sort of wood the box is made from, but it appears to be hand-tooled from a single plank.

Pictures of the calipers:












Pictures of the box:









Thanks to anyone who can give a value! According to my grandfather, the provenance is thus: The tool was previously owned by a Scottish toolmaker who worked at Westinghouse's Turbine division in Essington, Pennsylvania who passed it on to my grandfather's uncle (who was also a toolmaker there). At the uncle's death in 1970 it was willed to my grandfather, who was the only other toolmaker in the family. He has had it since then.

 

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[pippinwhitepaws]

A Double Dial Dial Caliper?..... Just cool looking

this is the only one I can find...is there a makers mark on the piece?
I did find several tools of the same era...different calipers, running in the 200$ range...

nice piece...fantastic that an English caliper is not in Whitworth?

 

[cti4sw]

A Double Dial Dial Caliper?..... Just cool looking

this is the only one I can find...is there a makers mark on the piece?
I did find several tools of the same era...different calipers, running in the 200$ range...

nice piece...fantastic that an English caliper is not in Whitworth?

I have seen that same forum; in fact, after seeing it, I joined for the sole purpose of messaging some of the responders to that OP to ask them the same questions asked here.

The closest I can find to a maker's mark is that "K 809". There is some speculation in the family that the piece was handcrafted by an apprentice, or possibly a master seeking to replicate an older tool. We believe it was made for clockmakers. The style does appear to match similar eastern European tools rather than English tools, which fits with the inscription in the box (Malmo, Sweden). Sotheby's starting bid estimate in 1993 was $600, but it's clear from their letter they weren't sure either.

 

[blademaker]

That is a beauty! Don't know the value but I would love to have such a fine old instrument. Old tools were made to look great as well as work great.

 

[cti4sw]

That is a beauty! Don't know the value but I would love to have such a fine old instrument. Old tools were made to look great as well as work great.

Interestingly enough, my grandfather is interested in selling them. You can PM me if you'd like to make an offer.