Antique Nova Brunsviga Mechanical Calculator. Germany, Circa 1930

Amazing antique Nova Brunsviga mechanical calculator made in Germany circa 1930. This model is similar to the Brunsviga 13K but bigger in size. The calculator is in great condition and works really fine. The levers and cranks move fluidly and softly, turning the operation of the machine into a real pleasure for its owner. The design is compact and functional: it mounts black-enameled metal casing, chrome-plated metal mobile parts and wooden and plastic knobs. Over the black finish, the digits and inscriptions preserve the original white and red paint that makes them stand out. At the left of the casing we find the calculators name (Nova Brunsviga) and the brand logo engraved in the metal. At the bottom, to the left we can see the serial number and the model: 6T 200 700 Mod. II. To the right there is a riveted metal plate with the name and telephone of a distributor located in Philadelphia, USA. Finally, at the back of the calculator there is a big white inscription with the models name and several patents dated between 1925 and 1927. Imposing and with personality, this antique Nova Brunsviga mechanical calculator still preserves its power of fascination and fine working order. Dimensions: Bottom Width: 11.6 in / 29 cm. Top Width: 7.4 in / 18.5 cm. Depth: 9.4 in / 23.5 cm. Height: 6.8 in / 17 cm.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.