postal scale with the prusian eagle
This equal arm balance comes from Germany. The maker is unknown to me. The eagle on top of the stand is described as Prussian eagle [Preußische Reichsadler], and also as imperial eagle [Kaiser-Adler]. The balance with the eagle can be found in the catalogs of the company G. Kistler from Ebingen from 1902 and 1908. Philipp Jakob Maul also offers this balance in his export catalog from circa 1910. The descriptions state that these scales are suitable for being calibrated and that these scales are used at the German post offices. The postal scale was delivered without weights, so these had to be purchased separately.
This copy has a banderole calibration mark of the inspection office for weights and measures in Merseburg, this mark was used in the period 1894-1914. A mark for the inspection year is missing. The base plate and the upright bolted to it are made of cast iron. The balance arm, the scales and the eagle are made of brass. The suspension eyes, the triangular shafts, the screws, the cover plates and the balance indicating needle are made of magnetic steel. The base plate is 30.5 by 12.3 by 2.6 centimeters. The scale is 36.5 cm high. The balance arm is 20.5 cm long.
The so-called replica of the firm Gottlieb Kern & Sohn from Ebingen in Germany is said to be based on this postal scale. However, there are quite a few differences, see for yourself here.
Below are some more images of this stately postal scale with the Preußische Adler [Prussian eagle / imperial eagle].
back of the postal scale
