Scales

Manufacturer / MakerCreated by unidentified

Date1920

Mediummetal

Dimensions8 1/2 × 1 × 7/8 in. (21.6 × 2.5 × 2.2 cm)

ClassificationsTools, Implements & Weights

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Shirley Bishop

Object numberPC1977.53.2

DescriptionThis brass pocket hanging scale features a brass body with a warm golden hue, aged with patina, giving it a distinctive antique appearance. Rectangular in shape, the brass body is elongated and slightly tapered at the ends. The top features a steel ring for hanging, while the bottom ends in an "S"-shaped hook for weighing items. An etched five-pointed star symbol is prominently displayed near the top of the brass plate indicating a maker's mark or brand insignia. The brass face includes an inset slot with a sliding indicator needle, which moves in response to weight. To the right of the slot, a vertical scale is engraved, marked in units from "0" to "25." Pocket hanging scales like these were commonly used in trade and commerce during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for quick and portable weight measurements. Their compact design made them a practical tool for merchants, farmers, and travelers.

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