The Story
A genuine piece of English social history, these spring-balanced pocket scales were precision-made by John Hughes in West Bromwich. Dating to approximately 1900, they were once an essential tool for merchants and farmers to weigh bulk goods such as grain, flour, or fresh produce. The design itself was patented in 1888 by Thomas Brena Salter and John Hughes, making this a classic example of late-Victorian industrial craftsmanship.
The Details
Dimensions: 17cm Long / 3cm Wide.
Maker: John Hughes, West Bromwich, England.
Era: Circa 1900.
Material: Brass front with a steel body; features the original weighing hook and O-ring.
Capacity: Weighs up to 25lbs (approx. 11.3kg).
Condition: Excellent solid condition and, remarkably, fully functional. We have left them in their original, unpolished state to preserve the deep, authentic patina. There is some expected tarnishing and surface marks consistent with over a century of use, including a tiny fold in the metal at one corner, but they remain very sturdy.
Why It’s Special
For lovers of Curiosities and Industrial Antiques, these scales are a fantastic find. They represent a time before digital precision, when trade relied on mechanical reliability.
Styling Tips
The Rustic Kitchen: Hang them from a butcher's rack or a simple iron nail in a country kitchen to add an instant layer of "Old World" charm.
Gallery Wall or Shelf: Use the O-ring to hang the scales as part of a wall display of vintage tools, or lay them flat on a stack of antique cookbooks.
Sustainable Shipping
100% plastic-free, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging.
U.K. Delivery: Sent via FREE Royal Mail Tracked 48 service.
The Story
A genuine piece of English social history, these spring-balanced pocket scales were precision-made by John Hughes in West Bromwich. Dating to approximately 1900, they were once an essential tool for merchants and farmers to weigh bulk goods such as grain, flour, or fresh produce. The design itself was patented in 1888 by Thomas Brena Salter and John Hughes, making this a classic example of late-Victorian industrial craftsmanship.
The Details
Dimensions: 17cm Long / 3cm Wide.
Maker: John Hughes, West Bromwich, England.
Era: Circa 1900.
Material: Brass front with a steel body; features the original weighing hook and O-ring.
Capacity: Weighs up to 25lbs (approx. 11.3kg).
Condition: Excellent solid condition and, remarkably, fully functional. We have left them in their original, unpolished state to preserve the deep, authentic patina. There is some expected tarnishing and surface marks consistent with over a century of use, including a tiny fold in the metal at one corner, but they remain very sturdy.
Why It’s Special
For lovers of Curiosities and Industrial Antiques, these scales are a fantastic find. They represent a time before digital precision, when trade relied on mechanical reliability.
Styling Tips
The Rustic Kitchen: Hang them from a butcher's rack or a simple iron nail in a country kitchen to add an instant layer of "Old World" charm.
Gallery Wall or Shelf: Use the O-ring to hang the scales as part of a wall display of vintage tools, or lay them flat on a stack of antique cookbooks.
Sustainable Shipping
100% plastic-free, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging.
U.K. Delivery: Sent via FREE Royal Mail Tracked 48 service.
