letter scale
with colored
postal rate zones

This letter scale is very special because of the multi-colored scale. On it are no less than five divisions: Gramm - Ortsverkehr - Briefe - Drucksach. - Warenprob. The last two post types are abbreviated, in full it is Drucksachen and Warenproben, that just didn't fit. (The five categories translated: Grams - Local letter mail - Inland Letters - Printed matter - Product samples). There are one or more color strips per post type. These correspond to the weight classifications of the post in the Deutsches Reich (now Germany). This letter scale can be dated based on the different weight limits of the types of mail. As of April 1, 1900, the weight limit of the letter rate went from 15 to 20 grams. As of July 1, 1906, the weight limit for samples of 350 grams was increased to 500 grams. Based on these data, this letter scale dates from the relatively short period April 1, 1900 - July 1, 1906. The colors of the enamel on this measuring scale are not yet of the same high quality that was later seen on the egg scales of Philipp Jakob Maul, see for example this one. On the self-calculating letter scale Blitz, see here color was also used and the postal rates were also given directly. The Blitz comes from the same short period 1 April 1900 - 1 July 1906.
The letter scale is 22.5 centimeters high, the diameter of the letter plate is 9.0 cm. The cast iron base with three support points is 14.6 cm long and 8.3 cm wide. The maximum letter scale width at rest is 17.7 cm, in maximum loaded position 19.5 cm.
The enamel scale shows the abbreviation D.R.G.M = Deutsches Reich GebrauchsMuster, which suggests that a simple German patent was obtained for this letter scale. I have not been able to find that patent (yet).
Below are some more images of this very special letter scale.