Scale, Balance

Object Name:

Scale, Balance

Object ID:

1993.039.18.36

Date:

1885-1890

Description:

Scale and weights, collapsible (apothecary or doctor's office), 1885-1890. All fits into wood box. Weights in drawer. (NHMS 36)
1. Box, with drawer. Wood. Rectangular. Metal pull on drawer front. Holes in top of box
to fit scale. Dove-tail construction on drawers. Built-in spaces for 2 sets of weights.
Paper label on back, "[B.E.S]pinner[d] / Treasurer U.S." Maker's mark stamped into
drawer bottom, "P / [CH]APPENMER / A. PARIS" w/ crown above.
A. Box. 2.25" x 12 x 6.
B. Drawer.
2. Scale, central post. Brass. Slightly tapered. Attached to brass base plate. Base
plate has 4 holes, corresponding to holes on box top. Base plate marked "7".
Post: 7"high, 0.5" diameter. Base plate: 1.75" long, 1.4" wide.
3. Scale, insert. Brass and iron/steel. Fits into central post (.2). Insert is triangular in
cross-section. Marked "VII". Scale (brass) attached to top of inert. Scale marked in
increments, "10 5 0 5 10". Hole and notch (to seat cross-bar).
10.25" high, 1.9" long, 0.6" deep.
4. Cross-bar, with needle and 2 pans. Needle in center, pans on ends. Bar is iron/steel
with: holes in ends to support pans, and pin in center to rest on insert. Pans attached
to bar with green cord.
A. Bar. 7.5 long, 2.75" high, 0.6" deep.
B. Pan. 0.4" high, 3.75" diameter.
C. Pan. 0.4" high, 3.75" diameter.
Contents of drawer (not numbered; 4 sets of weights and 3 misc. pieces that could have been used as weights):
Set of 6 nested disk-shaped brass weights, in built-in corner of drawer. Marked with numbers.
Set of 2 steel metal weights in hinged built-in corner of drawer. Marked with dots.
Set of 5 metal blocks, scattered in drawer. Marked with drams, et al.
Set of 5 brass blocks, scattered in drawer Marked with seal and dots.
Misc. pieces include: 1 lead printer's type, 1 brass shield, 1 brass dish plate.

Material:

Metal
Wood
Brass
Iron
Steel

Dimensions:

H-2.25 L-12 D-6 inches

Provenance:

From the object collection of the New Hampshire Medical Society, including medicine bottles, doctor's kits, and other medical equipment used in New Hampshire, 18th through 20th century.

Credit Line:

Gift of New Hampshire Medical Society

Subjects:

Medical equipment & supplies, Weights & measures, Scales