Letter Scale by unknown maker, c1880. The ball-weight is fixed to the hangar, providing only one capacity, 1 oz. Letters are placed on their edge in the brass letter-rack. There are several decorative variations on this theme, including brass-inlaid bases and version where the scale are held by a bronze figure of a lamplighter, or a knight in Armour. These scales were normally given a rich black-brown patina by the maker. Sometimes, the ball-weight is on a chain instead of a hanger.