Bismar

Bismar

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Description
A bismar (or desemer) is a simple balance with a weight at one end of the beam, a load hook at the other end, and a moveable fulcrum in between. This example is made of wood, with an iron hook at one end and brass marks along the shaft, and is allegedly eighteenth century Swedish.
Ref: Herrmann Sökeland “On Ancient Desemers or Steelyards,” Smithsonian Institution Annual Report (1900): 551-564.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Bismar
Date made
18th century
1700-1800
place made
Sweden
Measurements
overall: 28.3 cm x 6.1 cm; 11 1/8 in x 2 3/8 in
overall: 11 3/16 in x 2 3/16 in; 28.41625 cm x 5.55625 cm
ID Number
CH.334142
catalog number
334142
accession number
308425
subject
Weights & Measures
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Chemistry
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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