Finding an Antique Apothecary Scale
If you are a collector of antique goods found in the chemist and drug shops in days gone by, you may be interested in adding an antique pharmacy scale to your collection. Antique chemist scales come in a variety of designs and materials. Understanding the types of antique scales that can be found on eBay, such as an assay scale, an apothecary balance scale, or antique analytical scales for sale can help you narrow down your choices for an affordable addition to your collection.
Different types of antique chemist scalesIn days gone by, when pharmacists were more commonly known as chemists, druggists, or apothecaries, they created medicines for their customers using a process still used today known as compounding. This is where chemicals are carefully measured and mixed to create necessary medications. Having an accurate apothecary scale in their shop was critical to measuring the necessary ingredients in the right proportions. Common types of antique chemist scales include:
- Balance scales - Featuring two pans balanced on either side of a fulcrum, this scale measured amounts needed in one pan by balancing small weights on the other pan.
- Unequal arm balance scale - This scale used the same principle as a balance scale, but with a weighted arm on one side and a balance pan on the other side. Examples include ball scales.
Assay scales used within different industries may share some of these common features:
- Balancing pans constructed of brass with accompanying balancing weights cast from iron or lead.
- Spring scales feature resistance springs that measure the weight hung from the spring.
- Advertisements on the face of spring scales used to assay weights of common farm products such as eggs or butter.
Depending on the age of an antique apothecary scale, there may be different weighing systems used for measurement. Weighing systems include:
- Metric - This measurement system dates to the French Revolution and is still widely used within many parts of the world.
- Imperial - This measurement system is also known as the English system.
- American - This measurement system is a derivation of the Imperial system which was used by early colonists and evolved over time.
- Troy - This measurement system is one used only for gems and precious metals.
- Avoirdupois - This measurement system is a commercial weighing methodology.