Antique Trinks-Brunsviga M. Calculator. Germany, 1920

Fascinating antique Trinks-Brunsviga M calculator, made in Germany in the 1920s. The calculator preserves the original wooden base and the metal-sheet cover designed to protect and carry it. Both the machine and the cover remain in quite good condition, preserving the fine charm of turn-of-the-century mechanical calculators. The pinwheel mechanism is very well preserved and makes it possible to perform the four basic arithmetical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) in a fluid and soft way. The black enameled finish that covers the calculator is in good condition, showing only some slight signs of the trace of time and use that provide this piece with quite a singular charm. The solid wooden base preserves its original finish too. The symbols and decals, painted red and white, are wonderfully preserved: we can see the calculators brand name TRINKS-BRUNSVIGA together with the serial number Nº. 43841. There is also a circular decal with the manufacturing companys initials. At the back of the calculator we find the brand name printed in silver and golden lettering. The metal cover fits greatly and can be locked, as it preserves the original key in working order. It boasts the machines brand name too, printed in big grey letters over the black finish. Origina, sturdy and reliable, this antique Trinks-Brunsviga calculator is a real museum piece with a strong personality.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.