Antique Front-Reading Counter Scale
This is an antique mechanical counter scale, likely a compute-style scale used in early 20th-century grocery or hardware stores. It features a large circular glass weighing platform on the left and a heavy cast iron balancing arm. The most prominent feature is the large, rectangular horizontal chart display in the foreground. This chart appears to be made of paper or parchment protected by glass or mica, showing intricate price-per-pound and weight measurement calculations used by merchants for trade. The brand 'Premier' or a similar vintage trademark is partially visible on the right side of the chart face. The construction consists primarily of heavy cast-iron components, finished in a dark, likely originally black or deep red enamel that now shows significant oxidation. The condition is heavily distressed, with substantial rust on the metal housing, peeling or water-damaged graphics on the display face, and accumulation of dust and debris consistent with long-term storage in an unconditioned environment. Despite the wear, the scale remains largely intact, representing an industrial-age utility piece with surviving original typography. It likely dates from the late 1920s to the 1940s, based on the mechanical design and font styles on the computing chart.
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Estimated Value
$150-250
Basic Information
Category
Antique Tools & Professional Equipment
Appraised On
December 30, 2025
Estimated Value
$150-250
Item Description
This is an antique mechanical counter scale, likely a compute-style scale used in early 20th-century grocery or hardware stores. It features a large circular glass weighing platform on the left and a heavy cast iron balancing arm. The most prominent feature is the large, rectangular horizontal chart display in the foreground. This chart appears to be made of paper or parchment protected by glass or mica, showing intricate price-per-pound and weight measurement calculations used by merchants for trade. The brand 'Premier' or a similar vintage trademark is partially visible on the right side of the chart face. The construction consists primarily of heavy cast-iron components, finished in a dark, likely originally black or deep red enamel that now shows significant oxidation. The condition is heavily distressed, with substantial rust on the metal housing, peeling or water-damaged graphics on the display face, and accumulation of dust and debris consistent with long-term storage in an unconditioned environment. Despite the wear, the scale remains largely intact, representing an industrial-age utility piece with surviving original typography. It likely dates from the late 1920s to the 1940s, based on the mechanical design and font styles on the computing chart.
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