Watli»9/f>rookly11 Weig&i»g Mac&i11e Co. Scale
ca. 1920
by Jim & Merlyn Collings
This unique scale with a baseball theme was reportedly found in
Minnesota at an amusement park or tourist attraction. Years later a
prominent scale col lector and friend, Jeff Storck bought it at the Chica-
goland Jukebox Show. (Photo 1)
(Photo 2) shows the head, face and playfield of the penny drop on
the metal column. The nickel-plated marquee sign says: "BROOKLYN
WEIGHING MACHINE CO." Surrounding the porcelain face is the
nickel-plated bezel. On the face it says: "WATLING SCALE CO."
"Chicago, ILL. U.S .A." with patent dates ranging from 1916 to 1920.
It also has: "Dial patented Oct. 5, 1920". This Watling scale model
#5 obviously had international appeal since it was also patented in
Great Britain, Germany, France & Canada. The Watling Supreme Plain
Weigher Model # 12 used the exact same face as the Watling Model
#5. See C.O.C.A. Times, Vol. 8, Issue 1, March 2007, page 24 for the
article about the Model# 12 Watling porcelain scale. In all probability
the Brooklyn Weighing Machine Co. used the Watling Model #5 and
converted it with the Esco baseball penny drop.
In (Photo 3) the baseball diamond is shown close-up. The "Play
Ball" feature says: "SECOND BASE, OUT ON THIRD, OUT ON
FIRST, AND SAFE AT HOME" - in the green playing field it also
says: "ROLL COIN DOWN TO HOME" - the penny at this point is
above the "second base" slot. The patron "carefully" works the knob at
the bottom of the playfield, to get the penny into the "free play" money
cup. There are five levels - it takes a bit of skill!
The knob above the baseball diamond has imprinted on it: "ESCO
SALES CO. DISTRIBUTORS", Patterson, N.J. On the bottom of the
playfield, on the left, it says: "MNF'D BY BROOKLYN WEIGH-
ING" and on the right it says: "PAT'S APL'D FOR MACHINE CO.
BROOKLYN, NY.".
The Watling/Brooklyn Weighing Machine Co. scale Model #5 has
a metal octagon head with metal sides. The words on the sides read:
"YOUR CORRECT WEIGHT/TEST YOUR SKILL/FOR YOUR
MONEY BACK". The cash box is located on the lower right under
the word "FOR". (Photo 4) on the metal backdoor it says: "MNF'D
BY BROOKLYN WEIGHING MACHINE CO., BROOKLYN, N.Y.".
(Photo 5) right below the money cup and above the footplate is a
baseball player in a batting position. (Photo 6) it says on the column:
"STEP UP TO PLAY". The nickel-plated footplate is extremely ornate.
(Photo 7) inscribed on the plate is "BROOKLYN WEIGHING MA-
CHINE CO.".
Imagine having a combination scale and trade stimulator with a
baseball theme. What could be better?!
Thanks again to Jeff Storck for his continual support.
Photo I