I cant do the math! HELP!

[Breezie]

I can't do the math! HELP!

Hey Ya'll, Today I found what I "think" is a Scale Weight. In this same yard/area (house built in late 1700's-early 1800's) I found a CW bullet, 1901 Indian head penny, and several other goodies.

This Weight is hand stamped 40 0 on the edge. It weighs 21.6 Grams, but I cannot find any conversion that would equal 40 0. I've already try to convert: grains, ounces, troy pounds, miligrams, kilograms, micrograms, carats, and even metric tons. I can't find anything that would equal 40 0, yet the thing weighs 21.6 grams. Help, I can't do the math! BTW, across the street from this area was a man who sold medicine, home remedies, etc. after the Civil War during the 1870's.

Although it looks like it might be brass or copper, it scraps shiny gray like lead. Could it be plated or what?

As always, any thoughts, ideas, and help will be appreciated. Breezie

 

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[Breezie]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

Rando, I already did the conversion using grains. 21.6 grams 333.338 grains, so that can't be it.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

Will it attract a magnet?

 

[Breezie]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

Will it attract a magnet?

Nope, it will not attract a magnet. I'll also add, I can't find a Scale Weight that looks like this; maybe it's not a weight

 

[cedarratt]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

Could be a "Shaved" weight used to cheat people out of gold nuggets.... Just a guess.

 

[Breezie]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

Could be a "Shaved" weight used to cheat people out of gold nuggets.... Just a guess.

Mmmmmmm, that's a great idea C.R. The person would get basically half of the value. This makes sense because .. . . . .instead of MD-ing all afternoon, I ended up talking about an hour with an 83 yr. old lady who lives up the street from the area. She was giving me the scoop on the house/owner, and she said they were known as 'shrewd business people.' She didn't say cheats, just shrewd.

 

[vayank54]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

Looks like it might have gone to a vertical scale where the weights slide on rods. Other than that I don't know. Sorry I can't be of more help on this one

 

[TiredIron]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

Breezie,
Could the 400 or .400 have something to do with thickness? Or maybe it has something to do with "tare" weight when zeroing a scale?

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/16422959/Vintage_Scale.html

Just wags...

TiredIron

 

[Breezie]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

Breezie,
Could the 400 or .400 have something to do with thickness? Or maybe it has something to do with "tare" weight when zeroing a scale?

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/16422959/Vintage_Scale.html

Just wags...

TiredIron

TI, it measures 1/4" thick, and the only correlation would be 4. What would be measured with a disk that couldn't be measured with a ruler? I did some more cleaning on it, and it does not have a decimal point. If it was used for tare weight, then it should weigh what is stamped on the edge. Stuff like this drives me nuts; lol . . .Thanks for your help.

 

[TiredIron]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

On a balance beam scale, a counter weight has to be certified and marked as to its exact weight is. But on an offset scale like the platform type used at a feed store the offset balance weights are stamped for what they represent on the platform. So its my guess that your weight might represent #40.0 or #400 as an offset ratio....and thats why its actual weight of 21.6 grams is irrelevant. The fact that it has a hole instead of a slot...makes me think its either part of the calibration....or it is the bottom weight of a #400lb scale and has the round rib on the top side for stacking additional weights.
You can't do the math....and I can't type in complete and proper sentences.
Again...this is all speculation and just stimulation for the mind.

TiredIron

 

[vayank54]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

Breezie,
Could the 400 or .400 have something to do with thickness? Or maybe it has something to do with "tare" weight when zeroing a scale?

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/16422959/Vintage_Scale.html

Just wags...

TiredIron

TI, it measures 1/4" thick, and the only correlation would be 4. What would be measured with a disk that couldn't be measured with a ruler? I did some more cleaning on it, and it does not have a decimal point. If it was used for tare weight, then it should weigh what is stamped on the edge. Stuff like this drives me nuts; lol . . .Thanks for your help.

Breezie, Save your sanity. throw the thing away and forget about it ha ha

 

[Breezie]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

TI, I think you have figured it out, and it all makes sense to me. Thanks, and a job well done! Breezie P.S. Your sentences were perfect!

 

[goldguru]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

400 grain.troy. = 25.919564 g

the Hole drilled thru it & corrosion would account for the the differance.

scale weight...

 

[Breezie]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

GG, GREAT job! I'll considered this one SOLVED! Thank YOU, Breezie

 

[dick99344]

Re: I can't do the math! HELP!

Hey Ya'll, Today I found what I "think" is a Scale Weight. In this same yard/area (house built in late 1700's-early 1800's) I found a CW bullet, 1901 Indian head penny, and several other goodies.

This Weight is hand stamped 40 0 on the edge. It weighs 21.6 Grams, but I cannot find any conversion that would equal 40 0. I've already try to convert: grains, ounces, troy pounds, miligrams, kilograms, micrograms, carats, and even metric tons. I can't find anything that would equal 40 0, yet the thing weighs 21.6 grams. Help, I can't do the math! BTW, across the street from this area was a man who sold medicine, home remedies, etc. after the Civil War during the 1870's.

Although it looks like it might be brass or copper, it scraps shiny gray like lead. Could it be plated or what?

As always, any thoughts, ideas, and help will be appreciated. Breezie

Could this be used with an apothecary scale since you say the man sold medicines in the area. Example: could it be 40 0 drams? just an idea.