After the United States Congress finally established standards for American weights and measures iin the 1830s and distributed brass examples to all the states then in the Uniond beginnning in the 1840s, several manufacturers began producing working examples to be used in local juristictions.  E. T. Fairbanks of St. Johnsbury, Vermont--already reknown for their scales and balances--was among them and also became a leading source for liquid and dry measures purchased by counties, towns, and by wholesale and retail distributors in the second half of the 1800s.  This copper liquid measure with its decoratively-scrolled brass handle is of gallon capacity.  Fine condition,  9" in height.