RARE JOHN CHATILLON & SONS, NY MID-LATE 19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE HAND PAINTED SALMON & LIGHT BLUE DECORATED #4 CAST IRON COUNTERBALANCE SCALE, W/BRASS TOOTHED MEASURING ARM, 12" TIN SCOOP  

(up to 8 lbs. maximum capacity)

(Circa 1865-1885)

American antique mercantile cast iron 

counterbalance scales

DIMENSIONS: 

6" Height (w/o the scoop) x 12" Width x 5 ½" Diameter (cast iron plate) x 6" Depth 12 ½" Length x 7 ¼" Width (Scoop) 

CONDITION:

Fair to Good overall antique condition. The tin scoop is not original to the cast iron body. The scale was found in an old barn here in southern New Hampshire and the original scoop for the scale was said to have been used by the elderly owner to spread rock salt on her granite steps in front of her old home and over the years oxidized, rusted terribly and then fell apart, due to exposure to the corrosive effects of the salt. The 12" tin scoop is the correct size for this antique cast iron scale. The scale however, has simply gorgeous, hand decorated and hand painted surfaces in a most desirable salmon color, peppered with light blue and black hieroglyphs. The ruled brass measuring bar in the front supports a now painted cast iron slide weight, creating a counterbalance to the weight placed in the hopper of whatever material sought to be weighed. Counterbalance free weights, either in brass or cast iron, would be placed on the flat cast iron weight across from the tin scoop, to create the first 'rough' counterbalance effect and the first weight determination. The fixed slide weight would then be used to get a more accurate, more specific, finer and more exact weight determination, by sliding the weight to the left or right, until the scale rests and balances properly in a completely level and counterbalanced even position. Wonderful original antique painted surfaces and absolutely choice salmon color, make this rare 19th century antique John Chatillon & Sons, New York cast iron counterbalance scale, a truly exceptional and extraordinary one. Magnificent.