Balance

Object Name:

Balance

Object ID:

1995.624.02

Description:

Balance scale in metal box.

Scale: Steel, brass, and textile. Hanging height 7.1", hanging width of balance arm 4.6", indicating arm (pointer) 1.15", depth of pan 1.6", weight 20 grams. Small tassel made of dark and light colors with steel loop hook. Loop hook connected to top of steel framework for pivot suspension. Two matching holes for knife edge pivot surfaces to ride in at bottom of suspension. Knife edges mounted at center of 4.6" long balance arm. Integral vertical center pointing arm, 1.15" long to balance arm. Dark-colored finial yoke damper below knife edge pivot surfaces that freely wings from two small suspension holes. Small circular slightly-flared points at ends of pan arms. 0.25" hollow discs near ends. Pivot arm inside of each disc with freely-moving sheet-metal ring that hangs below pivot point. 0.25" diameter split ring in each ring. Three finely-woven green cords from split ring that leads to slightly concave brass disc, 1.55" diam. Cords knotted below brass disc to hold disc in place. Both cords 4.15" long. Brass pans smooth on both sides. Steel arms and suspension portions 90% rusted. Nine loose brass weights included with this set. Five thin pieces of sheet brass. Four roughly square thicker pieces of brass with parallel front and back surfaces with some stamps on them that look to be relief figures of perhaps a lion or dog facing left. Stamped figures of different quality as far as its detail from one to other, but still similar. Small rings stamped on flat surfaces of all of them except smallest, thicker weight. Rings mostly stamped either in corners or near edges. Heaviest 8 grams, next 6 grams, next 1 gram; others less than 1 gram. 15 grams total of all weights together.

Box: Oval steel box with worn asphaltum-like finish on top, bottom, and sides. Exterior surface-mounted, hinge, probably brass, 0.85" long. Bent sheet-metal divider in lower right corner from inside. Riveted on front and side. Bent in such a way as to probably keep loose weights separate from balance arm and pans. Paper inscribed in ink on inside cover of box: "A Table of the Weight & Value of Silver & Gold", followed by seven lines of text giving the weight and value of various English and foreign coins.

Material:

Metal
Textile
Steel

Brass

Dimensions:

W-2.25 L-5 D-0.7 inches Weight-1.975 oz

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection