The Crane foundry opened some time before 1827 and was known as Atherton’s Foundry, run by James Atherton and Henry Crane. Initially it was a brass foundry, but by 1827 iron castings were also produced on the site. The main products were castings for the building industry, ironmongery and brassware. In the 1830s castings for the hand tool and lock industries were added to the product range and by 1836 Henry Crane had taken control of the business. The company became known as the Crane Foundry in 1847 with its own registered trademark. By the 1850s iron weights were produced, and a design was registered in 1872 with roundels decorating the edge. Brass weights were also produced, mainly after the regulation of 1890 that required weights of 2oz. or less to be made of brass. In the early 1900s the foundry began to produce castings for electric motors and continued to do so throughout its life. The Crane family continued to control the company until 1917 when William Cyril Parkes of lock makers Josiah Parkes & Sons Limited, Willenhall became a majority shareholder. Things were going well until the company’s liabilities spiraled out of control with the rise in electricity and gas prices along with the loss of two of the company’s largest customers. The factory went into liquidation and then closed in 2006 an end to one of Wolverhampton’s oldest companies.An item made by one of England's foundry’s based in Wolverhampton that exported items all over the world for many years. The scale gives a snapshot into the commercial life not only of England by Australian colonial life before Federation.Beam scale with three weights (4lb, 2lb, 1lb), metal tray, corrodedMarked on 2lb weight "Wolverhampton Crane Foundry" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, scale, beam scale, pounds and ounces, imperial weight, grocers scale, domestic scale, henry crane, crane foundry

Box of assorted milligram weights.textile testing

Sets of scales similar to these were very common in households throughout Australia. Between 1960 and 1988 Australia gradually adopted the SI units (Standard International) or metric units. In 1970 the Australian parliament passed the metric conversion act, and the Australian building trades made it the standard in 1974. This information helps to date the set of weights to before the1970s.Domestic scales such as these were common throughout Australian homes. They are now primarily superceded by plastic items, often electronic.Metal table scales with 6 weights graduated in sizes including 1 oz., 2 oz, 4oz, 8oz, 1lb and 2 lbs. Each weight marked "MACK/ MADE IN AUSTRALIA"domestic appliances, weights and measures australia

Troy weight is a system of units of mass from an unknown origin. While the name Troi is believed to have come from Troyes in the north east of France the system used primarily in the precious metals industry and adopted in Australia originated in 15th century England. Troy weight units are the 'grain' and 'pennyweight' (24 grains), the troy ounce (20 pennyweights), and the troy pound (12 troy ounces). One troy ounce equals 31.1034768 grams. The troy ounce and grain were also part of the apothecaries' system and was long used in medicine, but has now been largely replaced by the metric system (milligrams). When the Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862 local inspectors were established throughout the colony to ensure accuracy particularly in the weighing of gold. By the 1870's each local council had a set of standards that were used to test the scales, weights and measures of local merchants and businesses. This set would have been de commissioned some time after 1947 and was offered back to the Borough of Eaglehawk in 1989. Hinged, lockable wooden box with brass handle, hinges, latches and lock. Remnant wax on front face of box above and below lock. Interior of box is lined with purple velvet which is worn in several places. Box houses nine troy weights ranging in size from 100oz Troy to 2oz Troy. 1oz Troy is missing. Accompanying set is a two page letter from Weights and Measures Branch of Consumer Affairs offering set back to the Borough of Eaglehawk in 1989. Troy Weights: Part a) 100oz Weight, 68 mm Diameter at base x 113 mm H b) 50 oz Weight, 53 mm D x 90 mm H c) 30 oz Weight, 45 mm D x 77 mm H d) 20 oz Weight, 39 mm D x 65 mm H e) 16 oz Weight, 37 mm D x 60 mm H f) 8 oz Weight, 30 mm D x 47 mm H g) 4 oz Weight, 24mm D x 36 mm H h) 2 oz Weight, 19mm D x 28 mm H i) 1oz missing Hinged Wooden Box: Part j)171 mm H x 300mm W x 196 mm D Typed two page letter: Part k) 295 mm H x 210 mm W x 1 mm Top Troy: Each Troy weight stamped with small symbol made up of the number 5, an image of a crown and the word STANDARD. Side Troy : Each Troy weight stamped with small symbol made up of the number 5, an image of a crown and the word STANDARD above a series of date stamps recording every time the weight was tested. Date stamps: 30.4.1866; 16.9.81, 30 12.86; 1.2.92; 10.5.97; 15.1.04; 10.2.09; 17.12.14; 20.4.20; 29.9.25; 23.1.31; 18.6.36; 14.7.41: 11.7.47 Exterior Top of Box: Remnant of paper pasted to wood. Faint printed text 'ON HIS MAJESTY'S SERVICE'.borough of eaglehawk, making a nation exhibition, city of greater bendigo commerce

Letter Scales used in Post Offices.OldBrass balance letter scales, mounted on wooden base, with 5 individual round brass weights, stamped in oz's.No visible inscriptions on scales, but has oz's stamped on weights. Has a piece of paper attached to wooden base with letter prices.scales, letter scales, post office scales, antique scales, weights, brass weights, brass scales, old scales.

Sets of scales similar to these were very common in households throughout Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries. Avery of Birmingham were a British manufacturer of weighing machines. The company was founded in the early 18th century and took the name W & T Avery in 1818. The company produced a wide range of scales ranging from industrial scales and weighbriges to small scales for domestic use, such as these scales. At the time of the death of the last Avery family member in 1918, it employed over 3,000 people and had businesses all over the world. Today it has evolved to become part of the conglomerate, Avery Weigh-Tronix.Domestic scales such as these were common throughout Australian homes. They are now primarily superceded by plastic items, often electronic.Metal balance table scales and a set of imperial weightsOn weights "AVERY/ B'HAM"weights and measures australia, domestic scales

Scales and weights were used by merchants, grocers and households to weigh goods especially food.Used by resident of the Kiewa Valley eg. grocer, household, merchantMetal Scales with dish shaped oval tray and 7 six sided weights. It has two thin metal pieces hanging from the bottom. It is well worn.Weights have the amount 'g' embossed into surface. 1 kg, 500 g (x2), 200 g (x 2)scales and weights, household, grocer

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These scales were used to weigh the outgoing mail at the SEC (State Electricity Commission) premises in Main Street Greensborough.This item is significant as it demonstrates a by-gone method of weighing mail. It is also significant as it uses pre-metric measurements, placing its age before 1966.Metal scales on timber base, 4 brass weights.Each weight is inscribed with its weight - 1/2, 1, 2 and 4 ounces.scales, ounces, postage, mail, sec, state electricity commission, greensborough

This set of scales would have been used to check the acuracy of Weights and Measures.Where it was used is unknown, but it may have always been part of the Shire.The maker was J.D.Potter,Poultry,London Middlesex,U.K. One of several sets of scales of various sizes in collection of Learmonth And District Historical Society Inc.To measure precise weights,the instruments used were a set of precise balanced scales. Set on a wooden box,( which would have contained the weights).It is made of brass and has a brass beam balance,steel pointer with index and twin pans. Date 25/1/1865.Various hallmarks similar to "jewellers".tools, and, scales, weights, measures, potter london, measuring devices

Wooden box with numerous weights.beam balances, weights