Bismer balance

A bismer is a historical weighing device with an unequal-armed beam, a hook or pan, and a counterweight. The Nordic wooden type has a fixed counterweight and a suspension moved until the beam balances. The Roman type has a fixed suspension and a sliding weight.

Scale and use

The reading is taken at equilibrium. Older examples may use historical weight units rather than kilograms. Larger related devices are also known as punder or skippundsbismer. Consider the name, scale and capacity together.

Buying an old bismer

Photograph the complete beam, suspension, hook, weight and graduations. Transcribe numbers and signs exactly, noting missing or replaced parts. Do not convert an unfamiliar scale to kilograms without documented evidence. Separate the object's age and decoration from the question of whether it still weighs accurately; accuracy requires testing.

Sources: Store norske leksikon, Bismer; Språkrådet og Universitetet i Bergen, Bismer; Store norske leksikon, Punder.