English, c.1940, heavily engraved on the beam 'LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL TO WEIGH 56LB' and at the top of the main supporting column 'DE GRAVE SHORT & CO Ltd, MAKERS LONDON', constructed of lacquered brass and enameled cast iron, with all polished steel screws, with polished hard steel knives and planes, lignum handle to the front, in a large French polished glazed mahogany case with two counter weighed sliding doors, height 118cm width 113cm depth 52cm.

Footnote: this is the largest commercial balance made by De Grave, they were used, according to the De Grave catalog by The Royal Mint and Canadian Mint for the weighing of Bullion. This balance would most probably have been used by the council as a reference balance and possibly for the testing of bullion weight in banks. A modern copy of a picture of a similar balance in operation at the Royal Mint is included.