A decade box provides discrete R, L or C component values in steps over one or more decades.  They were used as laboratory standards and in bridge measurements.  Decade attenuators provide precise attenuation of a voltage in steps over one or more decades.  For each of the instruments described below I have listed the prices shown in the GR catalogs in my collection.  Catalog O (Jun-1956) and Catalog T (Feb-1968) are online at the BoatAnchor Manual Archive.

This instrument provides 0 to 110 dB attenuation in 1 dB steps.  It utilizes 600 &Omega T sections, selected by lever switches.  Overall accuracy is 0.5% up to 50 kHz.  Prices in GR catalogs: F (Jun-1930) $100.00, G (Dec-1932) $100.00.

My Type 602-J (left) provides resistances of 0 to 11,110 Ω in 1 Ω steps in four decades, and my Type 602-K (right) provides resistances of 0 to 1,111 Ω in 0.1 Ω steps in four decades.  Accuracy is ±1% for the 0.1 Ω steps, ±0.25% for the 1 Ω steps and ±0.1% for the 10, 100 and 1,000 Ω steps.  602-J prices in GR catalogs: F Part 3 (Oct-1931) $50.00, G (Dec-1932) $50.00, L (1948) $68.00.  602-K prices in GR catalogs: F Part 3 (Oct-1931) $45.00, G (Dec-1932) $45.00, L (1948) $63.00.

A compensated decade is designed for AC meaurements.  The Type 670-F provides resistances of 0 to 111 &Omega in 0.1 Ω steps in three decades.  Accuracy is ±1% for the 0.1 Ω steps, ±0.25% for the 1 Ω steps and ±0.1% for the 10 Ω steps.  Prices in GR catalogs: L (1948) $60.00, M (Oct-1951) $74.00, N (Jan-1954) $74.00, O (Jun-1956) $90.00.

The Type 1432 series was the workhorse of the industry for many years and is still widely used.  My Type 1432-M provides resistances of 0 to 111,110 Ω in 1 Ω steps in five decades.  Accuracy is ±0.15% for the 1 Ω steps and ±0.05% for the 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 Ω steps.  Prices in GR catalogs: N (Jan-1954) $113.50, O (Jun-1956) $121.00, P (Apr-1959) $128.00, Q (May-1961) $135.00, R (May-1963) $139.00, S (Jul-1965) $139.00.

This high-voltage attenuator is rated for a maximum input of 350 V AC or DC for an indicated output voltage ratio accurate to ±0.04%.  It produces output voltage ratios from 0.0001 to 1.000.  I use my Type 1454-AH to attenuate the 300 VDC output of my HP 738AR Voltmeter Calibrator, providing a suitable input voltage for my Leeds & Northrup K-3 Potentiometer in order to calibrate the 738AR.  Prices in GR catalogs: P (Apr-1959) $145.00, Q (May-1961) $150.00, R (May-1963) $160.00, S (Jul-1965) $160.00.