The aluminum chart has become heavily corroded and is practically unreadable. With a lot of effort the lower chart reads 250. The upper chart probably reaches up to 50 grams. The letter plate got lost. The frame is decorated beautifully at the front and at the back. The head of the leveling screw has the text LUDIE. This is probably the abbreviated name of the manufacturer LUDWIG DIELMANN.
On December 31, 1883, Ludwig Dielmann applied for a patent for a letter scale. In the Papierzeitung No. 44 pp 1694 from 1885 there is an advertisement for his letter scales. Somewhat later, also in 1885, Louis Dietrich reports in Papierzeitung No. 49 on pp 1914 that he has the exclusive right to sell the Universal letter scale from Dielmann (= Dielmann'schen Universal-Briefwaage). In the Papierzeitung No. 7 on pp 145 from 1890, Ludwig Dielmann reports that the letter scales can now be purchased directly from him again. Apparently the collaboration with Louis Dietrich has ended.
A letter scale marked L D F on the adjusting screw looks very similar to the model shown here, see this letter scale. This letter scale was most likely made by Louis Dietrich from Frankfurt.
Below some more pictures of this letter scale and at the very bottom of the page the relevant clippings from the Papierzeitung.
letter scale
