letter scale

four values

This also is a letter scale, a letter opener and a ruler. The similarity with the LINEX letter scale is obvious. A patent with the number 2,612,365 was granted to the LINEX-design of Frede D. Nielsen from Rödovre, Vanlöse, Denmark on September 30, 1952. The original Nielsen specimens bear the patent number and the mark LINEX. This specimen bought Canada, doesn't have a mark or a patent number. It has the postal rates on the front and at the back is stated: not legal for trade.

weighing action

a combined letter scale, letter opener and ruler

Also on the back is a commercial: the name of a firm named Western Foundry Co. Ltd. from Wingham, Ontario, Canada. A firm active in ranges, heaters and furnaces, since 1901. This letter scale was a commercial give-away. The utility as a letter scale is limited. The possibilities to clamp a large range of thicknesses are too restricted. This is a scale with unequal arms and it has four possible pivot-positions, the red knobs serve as center of rotation. Successively the letter is lighter or heavier than ¼, ½, 1, of 2 oz. This type of scale is also called Bismar. The name Danish steelyard is also used. Positions of load (letter) and weight are fixed. The position of the pivot, or of the swivelling point, is to be chosen: which pair of red beads are to be grasped. The weight is not a real separate part. The highest value is 2 oz. (56.7 grams). Below some more photos of this letter scale.

the postal rates 1958-1963?

not legal for trade

one parted hinged letter clip

commercial overprint

the rotatable red beads