Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

Scale 14

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Scale 14 is dated from the early 1950s and was manufactured by L. Oertling (London). The instrument has the serial number 42378 and corresponds to the company’s Releas-o-matic balance model 128, with a pan capacity of 200 g. Oertling was the biggest and most famous maker of precision balances in Great Britain. The firm became part of the Avery group of companies, and from 1968 onwards Stanton Instruments were merged into this conglomerate. The founder Ludwig Oertling (1818 - 1893) was a German instrument maker who emigrated to England in 1844. His business was set in 1847, which at sometime was based at 12 Store Street, London. After Ludwig’s death in 1893 his son Henry ran the company until his death in 1921.The company was sold to W & T Avery in 1925 and continued to operate at Naylor Road, London. In 1952 the company moved to St Mary Cray Orpington, Kent. In 1992 the company moved again to the Avery site at Smethwick, Birmingham. The last Oertling balances were manufactured in 1996.