Antique Brunsviga MH Calculator in Very Good Condition. Germany, 1920's

This amazing antique calculator is a Brunsviga MH, a real classic in the field of mechanical calculators from the first half of the 20th century. It was made in Germany in the 1920s and has survived to our days in strikingly good condition. The calculator works wonderfully and can perform the four basic arithmetic operations with no problem at all. This piece is also quite complete as it comes with its original wooden base and metal cover. The lock that connects both pieces is in working order and preserved the key that makes it possible to lock and unlock the set. The calculator shows off a lovely shiny black enameled finish, very attractive and well preserved. The numbers, decals and inscriptions are painted white and remain clearly legible. We can see the manufacturers mark with its initials (G.N.& G. A.-G.), the brand name (TRINKS BRUNSVIGA) and the companys complete name, GRIMME, NATALIS & CO. BRAUNSCHWEIG. The metal cover bears a printed inscription with the mark and the brand; the word TRINKS refers to the engineer Franz Trinsk, who was the technical manager of the factory and developed the mechanism of these popular calculators from the Odhner basic design. Stately and nice-looking, this Brunsviga MH calculator will catch everyones eye when exhibited on an elegant desk. 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.