Diamond Scale c1750 by Richard Roberts

Scale with slender steel beam with swan neck terminals in a small CFS (Cut from solid) box 4⅛ in x 2⅛ in, with bevelled corners.

 

These were made by Richard Roberts, in Bartholomew Lane, near the Royal Exchange, London about 1750.  Richard Roberts, born around 1710, was the second son of Timothy Roberts, a London scalemaker to whom John Wood was apprenticed on 1st September 1726.  Richard was freed by patrimony in 1731 on the testimony of John Snart, also a London scalemaker, and his father.

 

The box has plate hinges on the lid and weight locker lid, and spaces for six weights, of which 16, 8 & 4 carat weights are present.

 

There is space for a pair of tweezers in a slot in the base.

 

A similar set of scales is in The Museum of the History of Science, inventory no 55015.