Paul Funke & Co., Berlijn - Balance or scale - Rare German FUCOMA butter-water control scale - Brass, Wood, Steel

This special laboratory balance was manufactured by Paul Funke & Co. GmbH from Berlin, located at Chausseestraße 10 in Berlin N.4. On the original manual it states: „Anleitung zur Untersuchung der Butter auf Wassergehalt mit der Butterwasser-Kontrollwage ‘FUCOMA’” — instruction for examining butter for water content with the FUCOMA control balance.

The device was thus used in a dairy laboratory, butter factory, inspection service, or by a butter trader to determine the moisture- or water percentage in butter. The method is based on weighing a butter sample before and after heating/evaporation of the contained water. With the sliding rider on the graduated balance arm the result could be read directly. Butter-water balances are also mentioned in later official analytical methods as a quick control method.

The instrument is a technically beautifully executed piece with a brass column and balance arm, wooden base, metal receiving cup, counterweight, adjustment mechanism and accessories such as tongs and spatula. The original, soiled but legible instruction card is an important plus: it records both the brand, manufacturer and the original application.

A particularly technical collectible for enthusiasts of dairy history, laboratory instruments and early industrial measuring equipment.

Carefully packed and sent by registered mail.