letter scale, maker Bauer from Kiel
The somewhat faded scale of this letter scale shows the name and logo of the maker Bauer from Kiel. The function is also clearly indicated in German: Brief Waage. The 250 gram scale of measure has a strange layout. Up to 50 grams there is a stripe of measure for every 2½! grams. Above 50 grams up to 250 grams there is a stripe of measure for every 5 grams. The scale frame is an aluminum casting. The measuring scale is a thin aluminum plate secured to the frame with two hollow rivets. The moving parts of the scale are made of magnetic steel, except for the pointer, which is made of brass. Why the hand shape continues under the pivot point is (still) a mystery to me. The original black paint on the frame had largely disappeared. The appearance has been improved somewhat with black acrylic paint. A letter plate was missing and the rusted zero adjustment screw broke off. A round letter plate with the correct weight was used to complete it. An original letter plate for this letter scale may have been rectangular instead of round, but documentation is missing. The broken adjustment screw has been drilled out and a new thread has been tapped. The replacement adjustment screw is a stainless steel Allen bolt. The height of the scale is 21 centimetres, the diameter of the letter plate is 9 cm. The aluminium base measures 12 x 8.2 cm.
At the bottom of this page is another model of letter scale, also with the name Bauer on it. It seems unlikely to me that this Bauer comes from the same maker, the logo is completely different, the lettering is different, the place name Kiel is missing, and the scale models have no similarities whatsoever.
Below are some more images of the rare Bauer letter scale from Kiel.
back of the letter scale
