platform precision balance
Date1910-1930
Inventory Number1996-1-0264
ClassificationBalance
Subject
Maker
Henry Troemner Company
1838-present
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions19 x 45.6 x 22.8 cm (7 1/2 x 17 15/16 x 9 in.)
Material
DescriptionA precision balance of the inverted kind, with the trays above the beam rather than hanging from it. This allows the balance mechanism to be put inside a wooden box, which has a dark glass platform with two holes through which the trays are connected to the beam. The trays themselves can be enclosed by a wood and glass lid that opens towards the back. There is a knob in front to manipulate the balance mechanism inside, as well as a larger opening on one side covered with a slide, through which one can access the mechanism. (See instruction put on the side of the box.) Looking down from above, one can see an indicator needle and a grain-gram conversion ruler. There are two leveling screws at the front of the box.
Signedon plaque, front cover: HENRY TROEMNER / MAKER
Inscribedon plaque, front cover: CAP. 4 0z. / 120 Gm; NO. CLASS "A"
FunctionThis is a precision balance where the trays are located above the beam rather than hanging from it. The company that produced this balance was famous for designs such as this one. In terms of the actual operation, it was not very different from the other balances, except the trays were much more accessible and the mechanism was well protected at all times, even with the top lid open.
ProvenanceFrom the Paleobotany Laboratory, Harvard University.
Keller Manufacturing Company
Date: 1900-1920
Accessories: two tweezers; a small box of fractional weights; two colored carboard boxes; a small metallic case; four small cylindrical boxes; a convex circular piece of glass
Object number: 2004-1-0332
Henry Plympton
Date: circa 1835
Accessories: troy weights (1998-1-0038b); instruction manual (1998-1-0038c)
Object number: 1998-1-0038a
Christian Becker, Inc.
Date: 1930-1940
Accessories: thin paint brush; small round metal box containing square of metal; thin wire; pans (2)
Object number: 2006-1-0111
