philippe Thiriat - Technical instrument (2) - Belgium - 1900-1910

Exceptional and very rare historic lot intended for lovers of folk art, antique scientific instruments, or collectible pigeon racing. This complete Belle Époque set (Circa 1905-1915) includes two precision devices from the famous French brand “Ph. Thiriat,” fully original and perfectly matched.

Pigeon racing in the early 20th century demanded absolute rigor. This lot embodies the entire technical chain of a bygone travel-time contest for carrier pigeons:

1. The Precision Mechanical Ring Setter (On the left):
Placed on an elegant and heavy oval wooden and cast-iron base, it was used to calibrate, wind, or crimp the official aluminum ring around the pigeon’s leg before release. The upper metal disc bears the official inscription engraved in relief: “BAGUEUSE Ph. THIRIAT BREVETÉ” with its patent/series number. It is equipped with its lateral adjustment lever with a brass handle.

2. The Mechanical Arrival Verifier / Counter (On the right):
A superb compact travel case made of varnished exotic wood (mahogany or oak) opening on hinges. Inside lies a complex and fascinating clockwork mechanism in solid brass and polished steel, operated by an external crank. When the pigeon returns, the metal ring was slid into the device, and the mechanism perforated or printed the exact return time on a paper strip visible through the glass-walled control corridor at the rear.