Brunsviga C
Quite an elusive machine in the Brunsviga range, of which only 812 units have been produced. It was conceived as a cheaper machine, and perhaps also to use up parts from the early Brunsviga B production. It never received a long crank, which gives it a peculiar look, similar to the very early Model 1 machines, of which even fewer were made until the crank was lengthened in 1894, around s/n 450. The short crank also allowed for a shorter metal case. The machines were never used much, because soon enough larger machines became the standard (and affordable), so why work with a machine limited to 7 places in the input and 10 in the result if a 9 x 13 machine was available ? Not many were sold in Germany either, and both of the machines I know (including this one) came from Italy, where they must have enjoyed some measure of popularity. I suspect many were thrown out or recycled, not least because they can lead to skinned knuckles when not paying attention during use - that short crank rather ruthlessly places fingers and knuckles in the exact same spot as the gears on the back of the carriage. Buyer beware!I was contacted through my website by someone in Torino who wanted to sell this machine, and after some negotiation I paid a sensible price. It came out of an agricultural family, who obviously felt quite early that they had the need for a calculator for bookkeeping. This specimen is in wonderful condition, and has probably not been used very much - either replaced early, or there must just not have been that much bookkeeping to do!
