Antique Brunsviga 13K Windlass Calculator in Excellent Condition. Germany, Circa 1950

Antique Brunsviga 13K Pinwheel Calculator in Excellent Condition. Germany, Circa 1950 Fine antique Brunsviga 13K calculator, a mechanical machine with pinwheel system in very good condition. The calculator was made in Germany circa 1950 and has survived to our days in great working order. It makes it possible to perform the four basic arithmetical operations with exacts and reliable results; moreover, the pointers and cranks move fluidly and softly so it is a real pleasure to use. The calculator mounts a hammered grey-enameled casing; the mobile parts are made of silvery metal, while the pointers and knobs are made of dark red bakelite. Both the grey enameled finish and the silvery metal remain in great condition. The bakelite pieces are also quite well preserved: the combination of colors is quite attractive and makes up a singularly decorative piece. At the front side of the calculator, to the left of the digit levers we can see the brand name BRUNSVIGA in embossed lettering. On the other hand, attached to the rear side there is a square-shaped metal plate with the following inscription: OLYMPIA WERKE AG BRUNSVIGA WERKE BRAUNSCHWEIG MADE IN GERMANY. This wonderful antique calculator will stand out on a study desk or as part of a collection of special mechanical antiques.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.