This is an original Triner Air Mail Postal Scale, manufactured by Triner Scale & Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Designed and built during the mid-20th century (circa 1940s–1960s), this precision mechanical scale was widely used in post offices and business mailrooms to determine postage costs for letters and small parcels.
The scale features a durable cast-metal body with a textured gray speckled enamel finish, a polished black weighing platform, and a chrome-plated sliding weight mechanism. The front panel displays a detailed postal rate chart, showing weight divisions and corresponding air mail and zone postage rates. The balance beam allows for fine manual adjustment and precise measurement, while the chart provides quick reference for U.S. postal rates of the period.
The left side of the body bears the original Triner logo decal, reading “Triner Scale & Mfg. Co., Chicago, U.S.A.,” attesting to the company’s reputation for durable and accurate weighing instruments.
This model is both functional and collectible, representing an era when precision craftsmanship met the growing needs of the U.S. postal system. It serves as a handsome display piece for vintage office, postal, or industrial collections, or as a nostalgic conversation piece for retro-themed interiors.
Specifications:
Construction: Cast metal body, enamel finish, metal weighing tray, printed postal chart
Color: Gray speckled body, black tray, multi-color chart (blue/red/white)
Dimensions: 16” L × 7” H
Condition: Vintage – well-preserved with minor cosmetic wear consistent with age. Chart is legible, and mechanism appears intact and operational.
