Antique Cast Iron 8 lb. Counter Balance Pea For Hanging Cotton scales

Description: Hey neighbor , I grew up on a farm and had the privilege of picking cotton by hand using a tar bottom pick sack that you would drag behind you to put your cotton in . When your pick sack was full you’d have to drag it to the wagon or truck that was used carry the cotton to the gin . There , your pick sack would be weighed on a set of cotton scales and the weight of your cotton would be recorded in a tally book so you could be paid for the amount of cotton you had picked , usually 2 cents a pound . This pea was a counter balance weight used on the scales for weighing your cotton . The cotton scales would have weight graduations on each side . There would be a number under the scales hanger to determine what weight pea was to be used on that scale . For example , on one side would be a 4 and on the other side would be an 8 , which is what this pea weighs , so , then your pick sack would be hung on the scales and the pea would be moved along the beam of the scale until the beam would be level ( or balanced , zeroed out ) . You would read the number right under where the pea was hanging and that was the weight of the amount of cotton you had picked . The side of the scale with the number 8 was for weighing heavier loads . For the lighter loads you would use the 4 pound pea and read the weight graduations on the 4 pound side of the scale . If you will notice in my pics , there is a hole in the bottom of the pea . Casting these cast iron counter weight peas wasn’t rocket science precision , so if the pea wasn’t really close to the stated weight of the pea , lead could be melted and a sufficient amount added in this hole to bring the weight of the pea up to the stated weight of the pea , thereby insuring the accuracy of the scales . So , there you have the application of how this item was used and a better understanding of how it was used if you didn’t already know . This pea actually weighs 7 pounds , 14.9 ounces so it is real close to where it’s supposed to be . The pea itself is 6 inches high and is 3 and 3/16’s inches in diameter . The hook for hanging it on the scale beam is 8 and 3/4’s inches long . Notice the very tip of the hanger is missing but it will still hang on the beam of the scales . This item would be a great addition to your antique tools lineup , used as a paperweight or even a door stop in your country home . Ain’t many of them left and when they are gone , they ain’t coming back . Why not go on and get it while it’s available ? You won’t be sorry . This is NOT an AI generated description as I have inspected and documented this item myself !!😃 Happy shopping and thanks for shopping on my site !!😁 Please check out my other items and add me to your favorites list and follow my listings for more great items !!😊 Thanks for looking !!👀🇺🇸👍🏼

Price: 22 USD

Location: Reform, Alabama

End Time: 2024-12-13T20:34:53.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD