the largest
RICTUS
letter scale

maker: Philipp Jakob Maul, Hamburg, Germany
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letter scale, maker Ph.J. Maul
largest Rictus letter scale
 

This largest Rictus weighs up to 1000 grams, with graduation marks every five grams on the first 200 grams and a checkered zone over the first 20 grams. From 200 to 1000 grams, there are graduation marks every 10 grams, and the checkered zone continues every 50 grams. The scale housing is made of black lacquered magnetic steel. The Rictus was manufactured in weighing capacities of 250 grams, 500 grams, and 1000 grams. A Ph.J. Maul catalog also lists lighter versions of the Rictus; as egg scales, they were available in 60-gram, 75-gram, and 100-gram weighing capacities. Originally, the housings were all made of brass. The steel housings are of more recent date.
For more information about Rictus scales, see this page.
The Rictus depicted here is 25.5 centimeters high. The base is 20.6 x 9.5 cm, the scale house is 22.7 cm wide and 3.8 cm thick. The letter plate measures 15.0 x 13.0 cm.
Below are some more images of the largest Rictus letter scale.
 
 

back of the letter scale
back of the letter scale
 

Rictus letter scales on poster
the Rictus is depicted three times on a poster by Ph.J. Maul, with weighing ranges of 250g, 500g, and 1000g, respectively
 
 
scale front
front plate
 
detail 1
the cover plate of the letter scale
 
scale back plate
back plate
 
animation of counterweight
animation:
the counterweight hangs freely on its own axis up to
200 grams, above that a stop takes it around the main axis
[move the pointer over the photo]
 
detail 2
the scale mechanism without the scale housing
 
 
 
 
unloaded and max loaded
animation: from unloaded to maximum
loaded with 1000 grams
[move the pointer over the photo]
 
 
detail 4
subdivided up to 200 grams per 5 grams
 
detail 5
above 200 grams, the measuring scale is subdivided per 10 grams
 
detail 6
the weighing range is 1000 grams
 
detail 7
The scale housing is shaped symmetrically
 
 
 
 
detail 8
the model name RICTUS with the abbreviation D.R.P. below it
and the patent number 384478
 
 
 
animation Rictus scales
animation:
in the foreground two Rictus scales up to 250 grams behind them on the
left a Rictus up to 500 grams and on the right the Rictus up to 1000 grams
[move the pointer over the photo]
 
detail 9
the rectangular letter plate
 
detail 10
sticker with the text: VOOR HUISHOUDELIJK GEBRUIK
 
detail 11
bottom with 4 small bolts + nuts that fix the cover plate
 
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« collection part 29 «© copyright André Solversion: March 28, 2026