Historical information

Scales such as the subject item were used in a domestic situation. Salter has been a name long associated with weights and measures especially in the home kitchen.
The firm began life in the late 1760s in the village of Bilston, England when Richard Salter, a spring maker, began making the first spring scales in Britain. He called these scales "pocket steelyards", though they work on a different principle from steelyard balances.
By 1825 his nephew George had taken over the company, which became known as George Salter & Co. George later established a manufacturing site in the town of West Bromwich, about 4 miles (7 km) from Bilston. West Bromwich Albion football club was formed from workers at this works site. From here the company produced a wide variety of scales including the UK's first bathroom scales. Other items were added to the range, including irons, mincers, potato chippers, coin-operated machines and the first typewriters made in the UK.
The business thrived throughout the 1900s, and by 1950 it employed over 2000 people, still in the same area and owned by the same family.

Significance

Salter is a British housewares brand developing products that span a wide range of core product categories, including scales, electrical, cookware. It is a market leader in kitchen and bathroom scales and one of the UK’s oldest consumer brands.  Established in 1760, Salter has been developing precision products for over 260 years. It was acquired by Manchester-based consumer goods giant Ultimate Products in 2021 after they had previously licensed the brand for cookware and kitchen electrical since 2011.

Physical description

"Scale Salter's Spring Balance brass cylinder with ring at one end and a hook at the other

Inscriptions & markings

Salter trademark stamped on front. Made in England stamped on back. Weighs 0 to 4LBS showing ¼lb increments.