CHAINOMATIC SPECIFIC GRAVITY BALANCE by CHRISTIAN BECKER
12-008. American, 1st quarter 20th century, signed on the ivorene scale readout "CHRISTIAN BECKER INC, NEW YORK" and described in the 1921 Arthur H. Thomas Co. catalog of laboratory apparatus as follows: "BECKER SPECIFIC GRAVITY CHAINOMATIC BALANCE FOR LIQUIDS, with graduated scale giving direct readings in specific gravity to the third or fourth decimal place without the use of riders or weights. Determinations are quickly and accurately made by adding weights to the beam by means of the chain. The plummet is immersed in the liquid to be tested. The rotation of the handle placed at the right of base manipulates a spiral drive which raises or lowers the chain one end of which is hung free from the beam and the other end form a slide block which is moved up and down on a vertical scale. This scale is provided with vernier and is graduated to give direct readings in specific gravity with an accuracy equal to a high-grade analytical balance. The plummet displaces exactly 2 grams of distilled water at 15o C, and the enclosed thermometer ranges to 30o C. The case is of special design with glass front and sdjustable sides which, while reducing the air disturbances to a minimum, insure freedom in operating the balance." When closed, the mahogany case is 15" wide x 8" deep x 15" tall. This unusual specific gravity balance is in good display condition, but the chainomatic mechanism does not work without help.
