HANDY
postal scales

maker: Maasstrone Mfg. Co., Battle Creek, Michigan, U.S.A.
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Handy postal scales, maker Maasstrone, USA
Handy postal scales
 

The Handy postal scales is an unequal-armed scale of the type bismar. The counterweight and the load both have fixed positions, an equilibrium is found by moving the suspension point. The Handy has on one side a scale in ounces with N (0), ½, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ounces and then 1 Lbs (16 ounces). On the other side is the name of the letter scale, the maker, a patent number and a short list of postal rates. The maker of the Handy postal scales is Maasstrone Mfg. Co, Battle Creek, Michigan. The patent number 373269 does not appear to be the real patent number, but it is the serial number of the patent application of 24 June 1929. The right patent is US1,872,646 of August 23, 1932 and is in the name of Henry J. Behrens from Lowville, New York. There are Handy postal scales with the name Behrens & Co. See the article about the Handy Postal Scales by Utz Schmidt in Equilibrium 2007, issue No. 2, pp.3242-3243. The postal rate of 2 cents per ounce was valid in the period 1919 to 6 July 1932. The airmail rate of 5 cents for the first ounce and 10 cents
 
 

back of the scale
back of the Handy postal scales
 

for each subsequent ounce was valid in the period from August 1, 1928 to July 6, 1932. The patent had not yet been granted. Based on the foregoing, this Handy dates from the short period June 24, 1929 - July 6, 1932. In use it is a laborious scale, the arm with the weight glides very easily through the suspension and is therefore rather unstable. The letter clip also slides too easily and opens again undesirably.
Below some more pictures of this letter scale.

scale
the scale starts at N and is followed by ½ oz
on the patent drawing is even the value ¼
the letter clip
animation: [move the pointer over the photo]
closing the letter clip by shifting the U part
 
scale
the scale in ounces continues from 1 to 8 and ends
than at 1 Lbs (16 ounces)
 
detail 1
the name of the scale and the maker's data
 
detail 2
a lot of text on the scale
 
detail 3
this airmail rate was valid from August 1, 1928 to July 6, 1932
 
detail 4
in equilibrium at the value N (0)
 
detail 5
the letter clip in action
 
detail 6
weighing a letter
 
detail 7
the Handy of Maasstrone Mfg. Co.
 
detail 8
the Handy on patent figure 1 by Behrens looks slightly different
 
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« collection part 11 «© copyright André Solversion: January 25, 2018