original COLUMBUS bilateral

maker Ph.J. Maul
bruine lijn
letter scale, maker Ph.J. Maul
letter scale
 

This letter scale is a black enamelled tin successor of the columbus bilateral. Originally the complete mechanism was made of brass. The scales were not easy to read. Here the readability is improved by using white figures and white stripes on the black surface. This scale of Philipp Jakob Maul has besides the single lined M-logo also a double lined M-logo. In the lower range of 0 till 50 grams each gram has its stripe. The upper scale has a division stripe per 5 grams. This scale ranges from 50 till 250 grams. This model has a plate design that is often applied. Its form is a rectangle eith rounded edges, with small spherical shaped elevations at these corners and a slightly lowered middle part. Another version of this scale has a loose aluminum bowl instead of the rectangled plate.  Also specimens with other ranges exist:
 

rear of the scale
rear of the scale
 
letter scale
base of the scale
base of the scale
 
letter scale

for instance 250g with 1000 grams. Other variations show chrome colored parts instead of the brass colored parts applied on the scale shown here. The double lined logo isn't applied on all the variants. The upper indicator is partly broken away. When purchasing, this is a good reason to offer a lower price. At this occasion, also watch for original axes, screws and such. Below some more photos of this letter scale.

detail 1
rectangled plate + at the
edges small spherical shapes
detail 2
handsome symmetry
 
detail 3
double lined M-logo + name
of scale + broken indicator
detail 4
pretty lines
 
detail 5
parallelogram
 
detail 6
M-logo at short links
of the scale mechanism
detail 7
base hinge of the short link
 
detail 8
small axis at free end of
the lower short link
detail 9
unimpaired lower indicator
a stripe per gram
bruine lijn
« Sol collection: part 3«       © copyright André Sol version: February 16, 2009