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ANTIQUE CHRISTIAN BECKER BALANCE SCALE / MINT CONDITION
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ANTIQUE CHRISTIAN BECKER BALANCE SCALE / MINT CONDITION
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ANTIQUE CHRISTIAN BECKER ANALYTICAL BALANCE C.1920 and PERIOD COMBINATION WEIGHT SET. Offered is a pristine museum quality C. Becker analytical balance, which appears to me to be a Model 8A. I have calibrated this balance, and it functions as if it were brand new. I can't say enough about the off-the-shelf overall condition, it's almost as if it was new and never used. It functions perfectly. It is not very often for an antique Becker balance in this condition to appear on the market. Included is a combination Becker balance weight set, with weights for apothecary and metric use. The metric weights range from 50 grams down to 1 gram. The apothecary weights start at 4 drams down to 1 scruple, with the seven decimal grain weights shown in the photo. Mahogany Becker box, complete and original. The Becker family had a tremendous balance making history, going back to a 1803 start in Germany. Most of the family migrated to America around 1850. This example was distributed by The Arthur H. Thomas Co. of Philadelphia, a famous scientific supply house. The Thomas Co. is still in business today. The Model 8A was sold with or without at least three different options. This particular example was built with the patented Auto-Dex feature. This feature essentially speeds up the weighing process by achieving equalibrium via the Auto-Dex index centering knob. This option eliminates the tedious chore of locating the "zero" position on the index plate by opening and closing the front sash a number of times for adjustment of the tiny "star" wheels found on the ends of the beam. This caused disturbance to the weighing process. The Auto-Dex feature exacts the weighing of any given substance with minimal wear to the agate knife edges and plane bearing points. It also eliminates faulty weight readings due to finger temperature changes to the beam and other forms of minuscule contamination. The Model 8A was rather easy to date from reference materials, it was built between 1915 and 1920. Auto-Dex was introduced about the same time as their Chainomatic model that was introduced in 1915. The serial number imprinted on the case reads R13348. It is 16"W X 17"H X 9"D. The base is flawless and mirror-like, made of polished black plate glass that was called Vitrolite in those days. The case has a unique "French-polished" high gloss finish on the select red mahogany. All of the wood and wavy glass is original. The craftsmanship is so good that the case is nearly airtight. The pillar (column) is laquered brass with incorporated dual spirit levels at it's base. Leveling is achieved by manipulating the front screw feet until the level bubbles are both centered. The front access sash is counterpoised for a weightless floating action. The rear sash is removable. The beam is released by way of a "fall-away" type design, the pans are independently arrested. All the brass components are unpolished, displaying the original patina. 100% of the original lacquer remains on all the brass. There are absolutely no scratches or corrosion, not even a fingerprint. The 2 3/8th" pans and 8" wire arches are fashioned from German silver. The 7" beam is made from aluminum, which was an exotic metal in those days. Aluminum was determined to be the best metal to use for beams, it shows minimal effects from temperature changes and offers ample overall strength. The beam is graduated 10-0-10, sensitivity is 1/20th of a milligram at a full load of 200 grams per pan. None of the silver components have ever been polished. As always, my starting price is quite low without a reserve. Ridiculously high starting bid prices are more often than not unproductive, often ending without a single bid. I do my own expert packing, and ship UPS Ground only. Prompt PayPal payment please, I ship immediately after the payment clears. I charge for shipping only. I make zero bucks on handling or supplying the somewhat expensive custom packing materials( my cost is about $23.00 per packed balance). Beware of balances with no m...
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