Long-beam, 14", Oertling balance, used by Ramsay and Travers in their inert gas researches in 1896. It is an early Model 5 balance with no distinguishing marks, but unusual stirrup pans fitted, probably made before 1860, Glazed wooden case with two drawers in base,

L. Oertling the renowned London scales maker produced this Analytical equal-arm balance during the 1850s. The chemist, William Ramsay (1852-1916) and Maurice Travers (1872-1961) used this balance for their research into inert gases. Working at University College, London, they went onto to discover neon, krypton and xenon, gases that today are important in various types of lighting.