Economy Family Scale 25lb Vintage

This listing is for Economy Family Scale 25lb Vintage.

Scale measures 8 1/4" length, face plate is 4 1/2" by 1 1/2". Circa early 1900s. Condition is very good, completely original and functional. Weighs from 0 to 25 pounds and is fairly accurate. Many of these scales were sold for the fisherman to weigh his or her catch of large Trout or Salmon or for the home kitchen. The face plate states "Economy Family Scale" & "Made In America". No damage or repairs to the metal case, hook or ring as far as I can tell. The spring for the spring balance is good working order.

In the 18th century, spring scales appeared. To produce these scales, a manufacturer would use the resistance of a spring to calculate weights, which could be read automatically on the scale’s face. The ease of use of spring scales over balance scales is what led most post offices to outfit their clerks with spring postal scales.

One of the most common types of spring scales was the kitchen scale—also known as a family or dial scale. Designed for horizontal surfaces, these scales used the weight of goods in a pan at the top of the scale to force the spring down. Such scales were common in early-20th-century households and were sold by Sears and Montgomery Ward. Many had flat weighing surfaces but some were topped by shallow pans. Companies such as Salters, Chatillon, and Fairbanks made both. One specialized type of spring scale was the egg scale, which was used to compute the weight of an egg, the weight of a dozen eggs, and whether the egg could be classified as small, medium, large, or extra large. Jiffy-Way scales, which were made in Owatonna, Minnesota, beginning in 1940, are popular with collectors for their attractive red painted-metal housings. Another Minnesota company, Specialty Mfg., Co., was known for its Acme egg scale. Even more particular are the spring scales made by Salters that featured a wicker basket on top rather than a tinned pan. The reason? These handsome scales were designs exclusively to weigh newborn babies. Finally, there are hanging spring scales made by numerous manufacturers, including the prolific Landers, Frary & Clark. Most of these scales had rectangular, vertically oriented brass faces, although some featured round dials—they were used for weighing farm goods like butter. Capacities ranged from 12 to 24 to 50 pounds.

The desirability of hanging scales to collectors is usually not dependent on the manufacturer since they all had the same sorts of finishes and were all of about the same quality. But a hanging scale that features advertising on its face is generally more desirable than those that do not.

Please see our other listings as we have many related items and various other treasures you may be interested in!!! I do combine winning auctions for savings on shipping and try to keep shipping charges as close to accurate as possible. Thanks for visiting our listings and especially for bidding!!!

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We try to describe the items details as accurately as possible. However, if you are completely unsatisfied, you may return the item for a refund (this would be the cost of your purchase, not for any shipping costs). You must notify us within 14 days of receiving the item, ship them back to us at your own cost, and it must arrive in the condition that we have sent it to you. Return Shipping costs are non-refundable. Upon receipt of the items received, we will promptly refund your money. If you do encounter a problem, please contact us to let us know, so that we can try to work things out first. Thanks! Once again, please be advised international buyers, custom forms will be filled out correctly and you are responsible for duties, taxes, and the such related to your purchase and shipment of your package. Delays thru customs are out of our control, and your package may take several weeks or longer in some cases, to arrive depending where its going to. Please be patient awaiting for your package to arrive, thanks! Also returns must be returned postmarked no later than 14 days after received.

I have included picture/pictures of this item and all pictures are of the item(s) you will be receiving (we dont use stock photos unless inserts them in on us), but if for some reason you are unable to view it, please email me and I will be happy to email them to you. Please check out my other listings as I usually have related items listed and will combine shipping to save costs for you! Thanks for stopping by and purchase with confidence!

Grading/Condition Definitions:  We are not experts by any means in anything we sell.  Most of our stuff is used unless otherwise noted.  That being said, grading or condition is a subjective matter.  I try to be conservative in my description and grading/condition details so that you get better than you expect, but as the saying goes, "You can't please ALL the people ALL the time!"  If you are super particular about condition either ASK A QUESTION BEFORE PURCHASE or move on to someone else (neither of us need the headaches).  Bottomline, I try to insure that what's listed is something I would want in my collection and of good/fair quality, otherwise, I wont sell it.  Ultimately, if you're not satisfied, see the return policy above!  

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Buyer to pay shipping. I offer combined shipping. By default, I ship to the confirmed PAYPAL address (if thats how you pay) unless otherwise instructed. Actual shipping may vary from what item states, but we try to keep it as close as possible. It could be less or more, based on weight of item and distance it's gotta travel! I try my best to keep your shipping costs very reasonable! Combine multiple items for savings on shipping costs! PLEASE DO NOT SEND PAYMENT UNTIL YOUR TOTAL IS GIVEN FOR MULTI-ITEM PURCHASES.

For international buyers, if I have not included a shipping charge in my item, please feel free to email us for an international shipping quote by using the Ask Seller Question feature. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS SHOULD WAIT FOR AN INVOICE AS SHIPPING CHARGES VARY PER COUNTRY AND SHIPPING MAY BE LESS THAN ACTUALLY LISTED !!!  International buyers, please understand that all customs forms will be filled out properly. Please also be advised that your package may be delayed thru customs and it is common for packages to take several weeks to arrive. Just because you received a package from a different seller in no time flat, ours may not arrive as quickly....and this is not in our control. You are responsible for all fees associated with delivery and purchase of your item such as taxes and the such.