Antique Brunsviga 13 RK Calculator. Germany, 1950s

Superb antique Brunsviga 13 RK in very good condition, completely original and in fine working order. This machine was made in Germany in the 1950s and looks well preserved. It can be used to perform additions, subtractions, multiplications and divisions. The silvery metal mobile component parts are all original and show scarcely any signs of rust or wear. The knobs and pointers, made of maroon Bakelite, are also original and make a fine contrast with the golden-enameled finish that covers the metal casing. At the front side of the calculator we can see the brand name BRUNSVIGA engraved in the metal with the name of the city where the factory was located (Braunschweig). To the left of the levers we can also see a triangular metal plate with the brand name and logo printed in black. At the back of the machine there is a riveted plate, orange in this case, with the brand name and location. Sturdy and attractive, this antique Brunsviga 13 RK is a real collectors piece which remains entirely functional. Dimensions: Bottom Width: 10.63 in / 27 cm. Top Width: 5.8 in / 14.7 cm. Height: 8.27 in / 21 cm. Height: 6.81 in / 15.7cm. Brunsviga Calculators History The firm Grimme, Natalis & Co (GNC) was established in 1871 to build sewing machines and domestic appliances at Braunschweig, Germany. In 1892 engineer Franz Trinks was instrumental in securing the manufacturing rights to the Odhner calculator patents. The first machines were built according to W.T. Odhner's 1890 design and were distributed under the brand name "Brunsviga" (Latin for Braunschweig). Trinks continued to develop and refine the Brunsviga calculator over a period of almost 30 years. The "new Brunsviga" range appeared in 1925, and the "13-series" in 1927. Production resumed after the 1939-45 war with a new range of 13-series machines, a motorised version of the stepped-drum machine, and a range of small adding machines. Grimme, Natalis & Co was originally established as a "Commanditgesellschaft auf Aktien". On its fiftieth anniversary in 1921 it became Grimme, Natalis & Co AG. In 1927 the name was changed to "Brunsviga Maschinenwerke Grimme, Natalis & Co AG", and later to just "Brunsviga Maschinenwerke AG" In 1957 Brunsviga entered into an agreement with Olympia Werke AG, which led ultimately to the company being absorbed into Olympia in 1959. Production continued for a time as the Brunsviga Division of Olympia, before coming to an end in the late 1960s. About half a million Brunsviga machines were produced over a period of almost eighty years. The Trinks-Brunsviga calculators work with the pinwheel system developed by W.T. Odhner in the 1870s. It was inspired in turn by the arithmometer designed by Leibniz in the 16th century.