I am looking for a an English company, F.Darton & Company Ltd. from
Watford,England (could be near London). They seem to be well-known as
I found references to them. They made weather instruments, especially
barometers of various types. I know they were in business from at
least 1834 to at least 1980, based on much Googling I've done already,
jumping to sites making many references to their products and thereby
establishing dates of manufacture. I find no trace of the company now.
But perhaps they have no web site or they are gone? What was/is their
address; are they stil in business; if not, when did they close the
doors?

I have a gimballed barometer of theirs and seek to know its value/date
of origin and any other facts about it. But the company history is of
great interest to me, even if I go no further about my own barometer.
Many thanks for your fine services.

Hello gizmogal,

According to two sources, F. Darton is now a trade name for barometers
by Russell Scientific Instruments Ltd:

"Russell Scientific Instruments Ltd"
Dial Engineering
http://www.dialengineering.co.uk/company-81092866.html

"Alphabetical Index of Trade Names ~ F"
BDEC Online
http://www.bdec-online.co.uk/bd-trade/bd-tf.htm

This company's web site is:

Russell Scientific Instruments Ltd
http://www.russell-scientific.co.uk/

In addition to Googling for information and contacting Russell
Scientific Instruments, you might keep watch on eBay.  At least one F.
Darton barometer was sold recently:

"1940 F Darton & Co Scientific Stick Barometer"
eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2547666806&category=361

- justaskscott


Search terms used on Google:

"f darton" barometer
"f darton" barometers

Search term used on eBay:

"f darton"

Splendid answer! Just what I needed to know and FAST. Good job. Sorry
I could not pay more. I added a bit of $ with the good rating.