For sale is a rare antique, 1920s era, general store scale from The Exact Weight Scale Company, Columbus Ohio. The scale serial number is 29366. The maker’s mark includes several patent dates, the most recent date being March 28, 1922. This unusual scale design measures Over and Under Ounces. The side weight measures up to two pounds. The scale is made from Cast Aluminum. It is in excellent condition! Scale is reasonably accurate. Overall Dimensions: 27 inches tall by 10 1/2 inches wide by 25 inches long. The round scale pan is 9 inches diameter. A must have scale for any vintage scale collector.
When I first came across this scale I thought it might a medical scale to weight toddlers because of the seat. However, it’s actually a General Store Scale used to measure sacks of seed or other products. The sack could be leaned against the seat back. The seat back kept the sack free of the center post to prevent inaccurate measurements. The metal seat was called a bag rest.
These scales were used by companies who sold a package with a set weight such as candy. The pre-measured correct weight package was set on the pan. Your worker then filled an empty package or sack on the bag rest until it contained an exact weight. The scale company claimed that by preventing overpacking, the scale would pay for itself after only 2 months of use.
The Smith Scale Company, manufacturer of the Exact Weight Scales, was created in 1916 for the purpose of making scales under the patents of Walter Standish Smith. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Smith changed the company name to The Exact Weight Scale Company. The company was in business until the early 1970s.
