letter scale

made in England bruine lijn

made in England

This letter scale is an equal-armed balance. It's a very simple version made in England. At the side of one of the balance arms (beams) is stamped: MADE IN ENGLAND. Also a text: WARRANTED ACCURATE is stamped here. I don't know if this guaranteed a specified minimum accuracy. This specimen was bought in Canada. The weights used for comparison, are slotted into the wooden base plate. The bottom of these recesses is finished with a green paper layer. Four weights are present: two weights of different shapes of ½ ounce, one of 1 ounce and one of 2 ounces. Till 1885 the ½oz was used for First Class mail as a value in the American postal rates. Till 1871 it was a limit in the British postal rates. I don't know until what year this value was used in Canada.

The unloaded balance always returns to one balanced position. In equilibrium, the arrow shaped indicator, below the central main axis, points vertically down. The triangular main axis is placed in a separate bushing. Both other pivots also are knive edged, the are placed directly at the walls of the bore-holes. Underneath the vertical connecting bars metal stops are present to protect the wooden base. The base has four rubber feet. Below some more photos of this equal-armed balance.

warranted accurate

curved connecting bar	A-shaped frame base	curved connecting bar
made in England	separate bushing	warranted accurate
knive edged axis	top of the fixed frame	wooden base plate
weight in storage	protective stop	four rubber feet

« Sol collection: part 2«

version: April 18, 2004