NARCISSE BRIAIS
letter balance

maker: Narcisse Briais, Paris, France
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letter balance, maker Briais
Narcisse Briais letter balance
 

This letter balance bears the initials N.B. of Narcisse Briais. These initials were also used as a logo by his successors, see for more information about this here. The balance has a few special features: the pressed steel main bearing bush is square and the platform supports have a closed circle. In many other balances it is a semicircle. The wooden base has four small cylindrical feet. The red felt bedding in the recesses for the weights appears to be a later addition or replacement.
The dimensions of the base are 21.5 x 11.7 centimeters. The weight platform is 5.0 cm round. The oval letter tray measures 8.5 x 6.4 cm. The letter plateau height is 10.0 cm.
The basis of this balance has the same shape as with this Briais, but the type of wood is different and the edge is not black. There are a remarkable number of different versions of Briais balance models.
Below are some more images of this Briais letter balance.
 
 

back of the letter balance
back of the letter balance
 
side view
side view
 
 
place all weights in the recesses
animation: place all weights in the recesses
[move the pointer over the photo]
 
side view
side view
 
 

detail 1
the platform support with closed circle
 
detail 2
a vertical pointer means equilibrium
 
detail 3
the platform support with closed circle
 
detail 4
the platform for the weights
 
detail 5
the square shape of the pressed steel bearing bush
 
detail 6
the NB logo of Narcisse Briais in the letter platform
 
detail 7
from above
 
detail 8
upside down
 
detail 9
from below
 
detail 10
100 grams
 
detail 11
50 grams
 
detail 12
30 grams
 
detail 13
10 grams
 
detail 14
20 grams from another balance
 
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« collection part 27 «© copyright André Solversion: August 16, 2024