TRIUMPF
pocket letter scale

Triumpf pocket letter scale [Taschenbriefwage]

This pocket letter scale, or in German: Taschenbriefwage, weighs up to 350 grams. This was the maximum weighing range allowed in France, At a higher range a calibration was required. This Triumpf most probably comes from Germany, given the text on the letter scale TASCHEN BRIEFWAGE and the indications D.R.P. and D.R.G.M.. I have not found the relevant patent. However, I found the German patent DE227451 from 1910 with a comparable pocket letter scale with a double scale of measurements. Optionally, depending on the position of a leaf spring slide, it weighs from 0 to 60 grams, or from 75 to 350 grams. The simplest version, without the leaf spring slide and with just one leaf spring is depicted in the 1909 catalog of Ph.J. Maul as Westentaschen-Briefwaage. The D.R.G.M. patent number DE318707 on the catalog picture is incorrect and does not belong to this scale design. The catalog emphasizes the possibility of providing the back of this vest pocket scale

back of the Triumpf pocket letter scale

with an advertisement print or a celluloid window with an advertisement behind it. The scale sizes are 5 x 3 x 0.5 centimeters, weighs up to 60 grams, or up to 4 ounces, or up to 4 Russian Loths. In the 1912 catalog of Ph.J. Maul a variant with a mirror on the back is available. The Export catalog of Ph.J. Maul from the 1912-1914, this pocket scale is still depicted with a weighing range of 60 grams.
The Triumpf Taschenbriefwage presented here, weighs up to 350 grams. The scale is subdivided per ten grams up to 80 grams. Above 100 grams there is a stripe per 25 grams up to 200 grams. Followed by a stripe of measure per 50 grams up to 350 grams. The sizes of the scale housing are 5.6 x 4 x 0.75 centimeters. The letter clip doesn't fit into the scale housing. That is the case with the vest pocket scales of Ph.J. Maul. The back has a black and white photo. I don't know if this was sold as a souvenir. I don't know the history of this photo yet.
About the spelling of Briefwage or Briefwaage contradictory statements are made. Before July 5, 1927 it was Briefwage in the old spelling. After this date the correct spelling should be Briefwaage. In the early catalogs of Ph.J. Maul of 1910s it was already Briefwaage. Per July 20, 1928 the Preußische Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Kunst und Volksbildung came with the statement that both spellings were accepted again. Thus, the spelling Briefwage or Briefwaage does not help to put a date to a German letter scale. Below some more pictures of this Triumpf waistcoat pocket letter scale.

the letter clip

the photo at the back shows a German? military on a motorcycle with sidecar

the letter scale	with letter	between thumb and index finger
just 7.5 millimeters thick	with letter seen from behind	between thumb and index finger
rear wall of the disassembled scale	front part of the disassembled scale	the clamped leaf spring and the suspension wire of the letter clip

first two figures of patent DE227451 from 1910

this illustration comes from the journal La Nature from 1911 pp.16, in the section Science Appliquée: pèse-lettre de poche

third figure of patent DE227451 from 1910