Ancient Russian scalebeams
The construction of the Russian (simple, Scandinavian) scalebeam consists of a rod with a fixed counterweight (of spherical, ellipsoidal, pyramidal, cubic, etc. form) on one end, and a hook with attached load or cup on the other end. The loop is attached on the rod.
In the process of weighing the scalebeam goes up and holds itself by the loop, by moving which it is necessary to obtain a horizontal position of the beam. A scale is marked on the scalebeam rod, where the mass value is indicated not by numbers, but by points indicating weight in pounds. The scale is nonlinear: with increase of weight of the weighed load, the division value increases rapidly. The error at weighing of small loads can be ¼ - ½ of a pound. When it is required to determine the weight of a load heavier than 20 pounds, there can be a serious error. In Russia, the use of such scalebeam was prohibited for trade use by decree as of 1797, after that they were not verified and stamped. Photos of vintage Russian scalebeam are presented on this page.
The construction of the Russian (simple, Scandinavian) scalebeam consists of a rod with a fixed counterweight (of spherical, ellipsoidal, pyramidal, cubic, etc. form) on one end, and a hook with attached load or cup on the other end. The loop is attached on the rod.
In the process of weighing the scalebeam goes up and holds itself by the loop, by moving which it is necessary to obtain a horizontal position of the beam. A scale is marked on the scalebeam rod, where the mass value is indicated not by numbers, but by points indicating weight in pounds. The scale is nonlinear: with increase of weight of the weighed load, the division value increases rapidly. The error at weighing of small loads can be ¼ - ½ of a pound. When it is required to determine the weight of a load heavier than 20 pounds, there can be a serious error. In Russia, the use of such scalebeam was prohibited for trade use by decree as of 1797, after that they were not verified and stamped. Photos of vintage Russian scalebeam are presented on this page.
Scandinavian metal-wooden scalebeam for loads of up to 40 pounds. Russia, 18th - 19th centuries.
Metal-wooden scalebeam with decorative elements on the crowbar and weight. Russia, first half of the 19th century
Metal-wooden scalebeam for loads up to 40 pounds. Russia, 18 th – 19th centuries.
Scandinavian wooden scalebeam with metal elements. Russia, 19th century
Solid-metal scalebeam of a simple type. Russia, 19th century
Metal-wooden scalebeam with decorative elements on the crowbar and load carrier. Russia, the first half of the 19th century
Solid-metal scalebeam with load carrier. Russia, 19th century
A metal-wooden scalebeam of a simple type for loads up to 60 pounds. Russia, 18th – 19th centuries.
Solid-metal scalebeam with load carrier up to 60 pounds. Russia, the late 19th – the early 20th century
Solid-metal scalebeam with a weight in form of drop for loads up to 40 lbs. Russia, 18th century
Wooden scalebeam of a simple type with a cylindrical counterweight. Europe, 18th – 19th centuries.
Metal-wooden scalebeam with decorative elements on the crowbar and weight. Russia, the first half of the 19th century
Metal-wooden scalebeam of a simple type with decorative elements for loads up to 80 pounds. Russia, the first half of the 19th century
Solid-metal scalebeam with a spherical counterweight. Russia, 18th – 19th centuries.