"Crazy George" wrote in message
...
I suspect someone replaced a failed movement in your original
meter with a standard movement.

Hmm, a light bulb flickers dimly in my brain. That would explain why it
looks stock but works backwards. The case of this meter is split to heck all
around and bound together with friction tape, but I figured that was not
that unusual for such old meters. When I opened the smallest electrolytic
can to restuff it, the danged thing split into about five pieces in my
fingers! But I could believe that somebody pried this case apart with a
screwdriver.

If you can engage a meter repair person, that movement can be made
right resting, and the leads reversed inside, and you will be back to
where you want to be.

Is this something a fumble-fingers like me could attempt? What's involved in
making a movement right resting? I have little to lose at this point . . . .

Check carefully and see if the leads to the meter are reversed on the
back. If they are, then
the second step above is not necessary, just return the wires to their
correct locations. But the mechanical internal
adjustment is still required.

Living dangerously, I reversed the leads on the back of the meter. Now it
behaves the same, but instead of zeroing at the middle (OK, the 7 marker)
and deflecting to dead left (the 1 marker), it zeros at dead left and
deflects off the scale farther left. So I assume further surgery is
indicated.

Thx again for any advice.

Regards,

Phil Nelson