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A steelyard is a simple weighing machine. It is suspended by the hook at the top and the objects to be weighed are hung from the double hook at the bottom. Readings are taken by sliding the 'bob' along the horizontal arm until it is balanced. The Antique Metalware Society identified this steelyard as having been made by Robert French, who worked in Birmingham from 1730.

1 steelyard: metal; good condition

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Description: This steelyard has a graduated arm with a weight suspended from it. There is one hook for hanging the scales from a beam and two handing hooks for suspending loads from. Inscription: stampe at end of arm: 72 ?FREKO ?PRERO // Associated information: The Antique Metalware Society, during a visit to MERL in June 2002, identified this item as having been made by Robert French, who worked in Birmingham from 1730. Apparently it is very rare. // Robert French trained Thomas Beach, who became the best scale-maker in Birmingham (WAP 27/6/2002).', Lavinia Smith Cataloge (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // 358. Steelyard. Thomas Belcher.'

Birmingham

1700-01-01 - 1799-12-31

Eighteenth century