They were used to measure very accurately the amount of grain, flour, barley or beans. To determine the correct quantities, the sapwood barrel, a round iron barrel, was used. The barrel was then filled and the top was then leveled exactly with a round stroke. The sizes have a copper plate with the contents and the initials of the sapwood barrel maker. (LB & JRD). Above this there is stamped lead into which a calibration stamp was stamped every 2 years by the calibration master. The oldest stamped gauges that are still legible are from the period just before 1893. But the barrels themselves are much older and date from the second half of the nineteenth century. The old gauges were simply smashed and fitted with new ones. Actual dimensions: ½ Liter H 8.5 cm round 8.5 cm weight: 193 grams 1 Liter H 11 cm round 11 cm weight: 355 grams ½ deciliter H 4 cm round 4 cm weight: 50 grams 1 deciliter H 5 cm round 5 cm weight: 81 grams 2 deciliter H 6.5 cm round 6.5 cm weight: 117 grams Total barrel weight: 796 grams Please take a good look at the photos, they are part of the description. They provide a clear picture of the quality and condition of the product and they fill in any gaps in the text or correct any errors and are decisive for the description of the product.