''National" Normandy Chimes Scale circa 192s
by Jim and Merlyn Collings
This is truly a fascinating scale
that performs three services. The
Normandy Chimes Scale offers
your weight, chiming sounds and a
money back feature if you' re a
lucky patron. This handsome scale
is one of our favorites and is very
sought after by collectors (photo 1).
When the patron stands on the
scale, a penny is inserted and the
proper weight is given. A penny,
nickel or dime can be used if the
coin trip is adjusted. As the patron
steps off the footplate the coin goes
(photo I)
down a penny drop through a series
of pegs. The penny drop is decorated in red with
gold letters, enhanced by two elves ringing chimes.
The penny drop reads: "Watch after weighing / your
coin returned / or hear Normandy chimes" and a
gold arrow in between the words: Free Slot (photo
2). The pegs are arranged in such a way that the coin
will be returned in the money cup below (photo 3).
This happens about 10% of the time. The element of
chance inspired people in the twenties to use the
scale. Even if the patrons got their money back, they
probably would weigh again to hear the musical
chimes.
The column has a long rectangular mirror as well.
These mirrors were fashionable in the 1920's &
30's. The long column mirror, covered by glass, can
be removed by the collector, to show the inside
workings of the traveling penny hitting the bells.
There are 4 bronze bells in the lower portion of the
scale and a series of coin chutes that go from one
bell to another. As the coin passes
and hits each one of the 4 bells,
melodious chimes are heard. The
coin acts as a hammer (photo 5)
even though the patron might not
get their coin back they are reward-
ed and placated by hearing the
beautiful chimes. This made the
Normandy Chimes Scale very pop-
(photo 5)
ular and profitable.
An interesting advertising flyer
PENNIE-S
CHIME-
from the National Automatic
fllOlf-lTS
Machines Co., located in St. Paul,
~
OIJ
•
Minn. is pictured here (photo 6). It
reads: Pennies Chime Profit for You.
Notice the elves ringing the chimes,
as mentioned earlier, they are also
pictured on the penny drop portion c..___.:==----------'
of the scale. This flyer indicates that
(photo 6)
the model 170, Normandy Chimes Scale was origi-
nally cream color with the comers
air-brushed in brown (photo 7). The
handle bar holders and clothing
hooks are black porcelain and the
actual handle bars are white porce-
lain. Coats, wraps, purses and even
shoes could be put on the hooks for
a more accurate weight. The scale
measures 12"H and 18"W while the
scale base measures 20"x25". The
scale weighs 200 lbs. and has a
weighing capacity of 300 lbs. Other
features include a bronze platform
or footplate which reads: "National
(photo 7)
Automatic Machines Co., St. Paul,
(photo 3)
(photo 2)
The Normandy Chimes Scale
has a large circular mirror as part of
its ' face. Displayed in each comer
of the face are the words:
Normandy, Chimes. Musical, Scale,
(photo 4) we believe there are a few
facial variations around the mirror.
(photo 4)
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