Scale, Balance
- Object Name:
- Scale, Balance
- Object ID:
- 1963.015
- Creator:
- Fairbanks & Co. -- Manufacturer
- Place of Origin:
- St. Johnsbury, VT
- Date:
- 1830-1850
- Description:
- Silversmith's scale, used by William B. Durgin, Concord, NH. Brass post and balance beam with two brass pans, each 4.8" diam., suspended by brass chains. Wooden base, 3" high, with drawer. Drawer has wooden knob. Short brass post in front with lever for lifting pans. Both posts are attached to a beveled brass base plate that is screwed to wooden base. This plate is stamped at front, "FAIR[BANK]S & CO. / 2 / NEW YORK"; first line is partly obscured by post of lifting lever. Lever has wire hook that can be inserted in eye screw to hold it down.
- Material:
- Wood
Metal - Dimensions:
- H-18 W-15 D-7.4 inches
- Provenance:
- Clarence W. Kemp (1879-1973) was apprenticed to William B. Durgin (1833-1905) in Concord starting in 1894. According to Mr. Kemp, Durgin "used this scale personally and was very careful of its use." It may be the first scale that Durgin used. The Fairbanks Company was founded in 1830 in St. Johnsbury, VT. Durgin started his silver business in Concord in 1853.
- Credit Line:
- Gift of Clarence Kemp
- Subjects:
- Weights and measures, Scales
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