front of the WMF No.229 letter scale
Another letter scale from the Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik from Gieslingen / Steige in Germany. The scale base is marked on the bottom. The number 229 has been cast in a large pit. This can be found in a catalog from 1906 as model number 229. In the deeper pit is the letter B, then a WMF logo and then OX. The letter B means that the scale foot is made of Britannia metal, an alloy of tin (92%) with antimony (6%) and copper (2%). The WMF logo with the completely horizontally striped beehive with a diamond containing an ostrich and the letters WMF, dates from the period 1909-1925. OX means that the surface has been artificially darkened. I/O is written on the edge of the letter tray. This designation I/O means that 1 gram of silver has been applied per square decimeter. Another source says that the normal amount of silver per unit area is applied, which is apparently the same. The scale of the letter scale shows Gr. The scale goes up to 50 grams and has a stripe of measure per five grams. Only between 10 and 20 grams there is even a stripe of measure per gram.
There are many more letter scale models from WMF, see for example WMF letter scale, the WMF No.117, the WMF No.525, and also this WMF letter scale. The 1906 catalog shows ten letter scales and three scales on an inkstand. The differences are mainly in the design of the scale base. Some models have a stamp box, other models an ink set, yet other more elaborate models have an ink set, an envelope holder, ink blotter, pen holder, stamp box and a thermometer. The letter scale shown here has not been cleaned and is considerably tarnished. The stem of the letter tray is not original. The scale is 16.5 cm high, the base is 13.5 by 8.3 cm.
Below some more pictures of the WMF letter scale No.229.
back of the letter scale
