This ten-key printing manual adding machine has an aluminum frame painted black with a steel keyboard painted green. The digit keys, which include complementary digits in red, are arranged in two rows.. On the right are plastic repeat and total keys. On the left is another key stem, with no key cover. There is no place indicator. The metal crank with wooden handle is on the right side. The printing mechanism is behind this, with a 2-5/8" carriage apparently designed for a 2-1/2” paper tape. There is no paper tape. The ribbon prints in both black and red. Apparently the machine does not print symbols.
The machine is marked on a metal tag attached to the front: THE (/) DALTON (/) ADDING (/) MACHINE (/) CO. (/) REG.U.S.PAT.OFF. It is also marked there: PAT. SEPT. 24, 1912, No. 1039130 (/) PAT. DEC. 31, 1912, No. 1049057 (/) PAT. DEC. 31. 1912, No. 1049093 (/) OTHER PATENTS PENDING (/) CINCINNATI, OHIO(EAST NORWOOD). It is marked on the back: NO28554.
The donor, Bobbie Harvey, was a member of the Smithsonian guard force and donated this machine in 1975. He said it was given to his father by a friend some years previously.
Compare to MA.323329.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.