handheld letter scale
with two ranges

maker: unknown, Sweden
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handheld letter scale, unknown maker
handheld letter scale with two ranges
 

I don't know who made this letter scale. It is certain, however, that this hand-held letter scale was intended for use in Sweden and was likely made there. The outline of the scale is known from the Englishman Nathaniel Richard Hall. Several scales with this contour have already been described here, see for example the goose neck, the Let-R-Way, and the Loth letter scale. Also this Parnell, this Stauder advertising replica of the Parnell letter scale, this commercial version of Swissair, the Frans Svanström, also this Frans Svanström, and the Universal Letter Scale.
The unique feature of the scale shown here is its dual weighing ranges. It has a slotted track with two side tracks into which the suspension element can be securely inserted. The weighing ranges are 0-125g and 125-500g. For the first weighing range, read the right-hand measurements scale at the large, sharp arrowhead. This scale has graduations at 0, 20, 40, 60, 100, and 125 Gm (grams). The second weighing range is read at the small dot at the bottom of the circular portion of the pointer. Graduations are at 0, 125, 200, 250, 300, 400, and 500 Gm (grams). It is a solidly constructed letter scale. There's also a Lindells letter scale with two weighing ranges of 0-125g and 125-500g. Lindells even has a version with three weighing ranges, see this one, at three ranges. There are also other, mostly older, Swedish scales of this model with only one weighing range. Several of them bear the name Frans Svanström, usually with the addition of "patent." I haven't seen that patent yet. Frans Svanström owned a stationery store and, from 1857, a paper shop in Stockholm. Other Swedish letter scales of this model are unmarked. Lindells made another model letter scale and also a range of household and kitchen scales.

 

back of the handheld letter scale
back of the handheld letter scale
 

Dimensions: maximum vertical length unloaded 155 millimeters; width of circular part 60 millimeters. The scale is made largely of brass; only the pointer and the two screws are made of magnetic steel. Below are some more images of this unbranded two-stage letter scale.

side view
side view
 
 
hang a 50 grams weight on it
animation: hang a 50 grams weight on it
in the low weighing range
[move the pointer over the photo]
side view
side view
 
 
detail 1
the scale hung in the slot for the high range
from 125 to 500 grams
 
change the suspension
animation: hang 125 gram weights on it
and switch from the low to the high weighing range
[move the pointer over the photo]
detail 3
the pointer rotates on a very thin axle
 
 
detail 4
the slot for the low range from 0 to 125 grams
 
squeeze the letter clip open
animation: squeeze the letter clip open
[move the pointer over the photo]
 
detail 6
the slot for the high range from 125 to 500 grams
 
detail 7
the pointer has a small pointer at the bottom
for the high range
 
detail 8
the high range has stripes at
0-125-200-250-300-400-500 Gm
 
detail 9
low range with stripes at 0-20-40-60-100-125 Gm
 
 
detail 10
loaded with 200 grams in the high range
 
detail 11
loaded with 500 grams in the high range
 
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« collection part 29 «© copyright André Solversion: January 8, 2026