What was this scale used for ?

[Andy Naude]

Found this scale today. The shop owner said that it was used to weigh gun powder.

Could this be true?

I would be quite happy to trade for wooden drill rounds if some one is interested.

 

[exat808]

Surely a GP scale would need to be totally non ferrous?

 

[reccetrooper]

Surely a GP scale would need to be totally non ferrous?

and not have a porous canvas bowl?

There are several on the internet without the chains and bowl, but with the same shaped hook, so possibly the bowl has been removed.

There is one reference on the internet which has brass chains and a tinplate tray. Details pasted below.

This spring balance with hanging tray comes with a top ring to hang it and a double scrolled hook to hang weighed items. The weighing tray is tin, 9 ½" in diameter, and comes suspended on three brass chains on the second scroll of the hook. 'Salter Balance No 1A To Weigh 4 LBS by 1/2 OZS' is marked on the brass face plate of the balance. There is also an arrow 1943 which is the War Department symbol and date of issue.

My view is that it is likely to be for weighing flour or other provision used by the Army Catering Corps.

 

[LCplCombat]

Is that a Navy type emblem underneath the Staffordshire knot?

 

[reccetrooper]

Is that a Navy type emblem underneath the Staffordshire knot?

It is the Salter trademark.

This is copied and pasted from Graces Guide;

"1884 The Salter trademark, showing a Staffordshire knot pierced by an arrow, was registered and used on all the balances. It was also adopted by West Bromwich Albion Football Club, becoming the first commercial advertising on football shirts."

And a link to Graces Guide, http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/George_Salter_and_Co

 

[LCplCombat]

Using a different monitor I can see that now . I can see the SALTER now, it looked like the crenelations on an Admiralty Crown. I should go to Specsavers

 

[beihan62]

I think this is a set of standard kitchen scales,the spring tension is far too coarse for weighing anything more dangerous than flour of sugar,many fishermen/anglers carry them to weigh their catch,
Cheers,
Don,