NARCISSE BRIAIS
letter scale

From the letter scale presented here, the original letter platform is missing, as is the pointer, and a part of the (paper) scale. For the time being, a paper letter platform has been used to suggest a complete scale. Later in 2019 there will probably be a counterfeit brass letter platform and a brass pointer.
This is a pretty old letter scale from France. It is a design by Narcisse Briais from Paris. The NB logo, the logo of Narcisse Briais, is not yet on this letter scale. Narcisse Briais was a French instrument maker who produced letter scales and balances between 1859 and 1886. The N.B. logo was introduced from 1876 onwards. After 1886 G. Restorf took over the company and continued to apply the N.B. logo. In 1914 Restorf discontinued the company. After this M. Ducos used the logo N.B. on his letter scales in the period 1915-1926 and from 1927-1931 M. Guérin continued to apply the N.B. logo still on letter scales (source: Le Système métrique 1997-3, page 1124). This complicates a precise date, it can be at its largest between 1876 and 1931. From Narcisse Briais, or from his successors, letter scales have been shown already, see the photographic scale, the Loth letter scale, the herbs & powder scale, and the déposé letter scale.
There is a French patent of this design with number FR28419 with date July 10, 1856. Then followed some additions in 1857 and 1858. There are different versions of this model. The example shown here has a pair of decorative edges of brass beads. There are different versions of the wooden part and the letter platform. In the book Pèse-lettres ou Balances postales, guide de collection en français of Williams Archambaud are photographs of different versions. There is also the mentioned patent, with the text and the figures.
I have seen copies for use in France, in Italy and also in Belgium.
Below some more images of this Briais letter scale designed in the period 1856-1858.