What looked like cleverly personalized spam was indeed a honest request for a manual of an antique scale that went by my name:
June 18,09
To whom it may concern:
I have recently obtained a Christian Becker balance. Design #: 165996. Ser. #: A 8628. Style: AB5. cap. 200G
I need to know what all the knobs are and how to adjust, etc.
I need the instruction manual for the balance. Is such available or can you make a copy of one for me. I’ll be glad to pay for copying.
If no manual available, do you know of someone in the St. Louis, Mo. area who repairs them that might help me?
Thank you for your help.
Sure thing, I sent him the manual (“prepared as a service to laboratories worldwide”). Gotta love antique scientific instruments 
