Narcisse Briais letter scale in Loth
This little letter scale is made by Narcisse Briais from Paris in France. The same model is also known with the name of Perry & Co., London, weighing up to 1 ounce. The special feature of this specimen is the unit of measure: loth. The Loth was used in the former German federal states and cities, like Bayern, Braunschweig, Bremen, Hamburg, Hanover, Heligoland, Lübeck, Mecklenburg, Prussia, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Württemberg. First the Loth was equal to 15 5/8 grams (4 Loth = 62.5 grams) and was used from 1849 in postal rate limits. Later after 1861 the so-called Deutsche Zollvereins-Loth this was equal to 16 2/3 grams, (4 Loth = 66.7 gram). After January 1, 1872 the Loth was replaced by the Gramm in postal rates. Before 1856 in Prussia 1 Loth equals 14.606 grams, and 4 Loth = 58.4 grams.
(see also Wikipedia und Lot).
1 ounce = 2 loth, or 1 loth (or lot, orLot, or Loth) is equal to ½ ounce.
This letter scale has stripes of measure at ¼, ½, ¾, 1, 1½ en 2 loth.
Before another letter scale measuring in Loth was presented, see this Parnell.
The maximum length of the letter scale is 98 millimeters, the width is 45 millimeters. Its own weight is 13,8 grams.
Below some more pictures of this Loth letter scale.
back of the letter scale
