Beautiful Antique Brunsviga 13K Calculator with Original Case. Germany, Circa 1950

Fascinating Brunsviga 13K calculator in awesome condition and perfect working order. This sturdy machine was made in Germany in the late 1950s and comes with its original dust-cover sleeve. The calculator is in an almost mint condition, as it had scarcely been used during its many decades of existence. The sleeve that comes with it is also in impeccable condition; in general, this is a museum piece worthy to belong to the most demanding collector. This lovely calculator mounts a golden-grey-enameled metal case with hammered finish. The painted digits that we can see beside the levers are black and the bakelite pieces boast a wonderful dark red color. The mobile parts are made of chrome-plated metal and look shiny and even. To the left of the digit levers we can see the brand name BRUNSVIGA in embossed lettering, made of silver metal on a dark red enameled background. At the back of the machine there is a square metal plate with two company names: OLIMPIA WERKE AG and BRUNSVIGA WERKE. This plate indicates that the calculator was made between 1957 and 1959, when the two firms were merged. As attractive as functional, this amazing antique calculator is bound to belong to a lover of the most special mechanical antiques. Brunsviga Calculators History The firm Grimme, Natalis & Co. 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". 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.