A steelyard scale ... with a wooden beam

fernando · 21st March 2016, 04:06 PM

Maybe not so common to see in the West, where beams are usually made of iron. The little brass brads along the wooden beam have no section digits to help reading; you need some experience to figure out the weight.
The structure in which both suspension hooks hang is rather peculiar ... to me, for one. 19th century, i would say; not newer than that, for sure. The seller bought it in a street fair in Silleda, Spain (Galicia).
Total length 51 centimeters.
Have you guys seen similar examples ?

.

fernando · 2nd April 2016, 11:00 AM

No scale fans out there ?

Rick · 2nd April 2016, 05:39 PM

We have an old family steelyard scale, but it is all metal.

fernando · 2nd April 2016, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the support

.

Sajen · 3rd April 2016, 11:36 PM

I have had also one, I think from India but can't remember exactly how it was built and don't find the pictures, sorry. Your one just can come from everywhere.

Regards,
Detlef

fernando · 5th April 2016, 12:18 PM

Is that so, Detlef ?

Sajen · 5th April 2016, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Is that so, Detlef ?

I am far away to be an exert by these but have seen similar examples in Europe and Asia.

Regards,
Detlef

kahnjar1 · 5th April 2016, 08:44 PM

Hi Fernando,
The "system" of dots on your scale is similar to the "system" on old opium scales. Also the sliding weight idea is similar. I guess we can only surmise as to the graduations, or where these scales originated.
Stu.

fernando · 6th April 2016, 06:55 PM

Thank you Stu; that makes sense. Eventually this system of wooden beam scale originates from China and whereabouts. I can easily accept that the bringing of such invention over to Europe included in some cases the dot reading system.

21st March 2016, 04:06 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A steelyard scale ... with a wooden beam Maybe not so common to see in the West, where beams are usually made of iron. The little brass brads along the wooden beam have no section digits to help reading; you need some experience to figure out the weight. The structure in which both suspension hooks hang is rather peculiar ... to me, for one. 19th century, i would say; not newer than that, for sure. The seller bought it in a street fair in Silleda, Spain (Galicia). Total length 51 centimeters. Have you guys seen similar examples ? . Attached Images

5th April 2016, 08:44 PM	#8
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,772	Hi Fernando, The "system" of dots on your scale is similar to the "system" on old opium scales. Also the sliding weight idea is similar. I guess we can only surmise as to the graduations, or where these scales originated. Stu. Attached Images

2nd April 2016, 11:00 AM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	No scale fans out there ?

2nd April 2016, 05:39 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,325	We have an old family steelyard scale, but it is all metal.

2nd April 2016, 07:15 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thanks for the support .

3rd April 2016, 11:36 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,125	I have had also one, I think from India but can't remember exactly how it was built and don't find the pictures, sorry. Your one just can come from everywhere. Regards, Detlef

5th April 2016, 12:18 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Is that so, Detlef ?

6th April 2016, 06:55 PM	#9
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you Stu; that makes sense. Eventually this system of wooden beam scale originates from China and whereabouts. I can easily accept that the bringing of such invention over to Europe included in some cases the dot reading system.