John Matthews Apparatus Co. 11" Soda Fountain Pressure Gauge, Circa 1860s

Description

Up for sale is a 11" pressure gauge that once was part of a John Matthews carbonic gas machine (today we call them soda fountains) which he helped develop here in the United States.  This has been in my collection of oddities for many years but i've decided to downsize and let some of things go.
The gauge is massive and measures 11" x 2 1/2 and weighs about 8 pounds.  The body is solid brass with a steel backplate.  The glass has typical bubbles/streaks and the dial face has acquired a nice patina over the years.  The dollar bill is a size reference and they measure in at 6" so you can see just how big that thing is.
I kept it on a bookshelf but it will present well just about anywhere.
Not much of his equipment is still around so this is definitely a unique piece that won't be seen again soon.  His bottles pop up from time to time but even those are rare.