Hand-forged iron and brass C-spring or Mancur balance scale. N.p., ca. mid-18th c. Approx. 11 1/2 inches long.

The crescent-shaped brass gauge marked with Freemasonry "Square and Compass" emblem, with double-sided weight graduations ( 240 / 36 lb. capacity) for both light fur and heavy hide. Its compact design allowed for easy attachment to saddlebags on the trail, and the easily-read weight indicator made for quick assessments of pelts, hide, or even produce. The versatility of this scale, coupled with its portability, made it popular among fur trappers, buffalo hunters, farmers, and frontiersmen alike.

[Colonial America, 13 Colonies, Thirteen Colonies] [Western Exploration]