Signedon lid: BECKER & SONS / NEW YORK
FunctionThis balance does not differ much in its operation from others, but its design is inverted in that the trays are above the beam instead of hanging from it. One would place the item to be weighed on one tray and the standard weights on the other, which were probably kept in the drawer at the bottom. One could close the lid to let the system come to rest, but even when it remained open, the balance was relatively insulated from outside interference as its mechanism remained enclosed.