This object is a gray metal model of the carriage and paper holder for an adding machine. There is a black ribbon, but no printing mechanism. There are two loose pieces.
The model is marked on a red paper tag attached to the machine: PATENT DEPT. (/) #172. It is marked on a metal tag screwed to the plate: B.A.M.CO. (/) MODEL (/) NO 1017. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation. It was model #172 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
Between 1927 and 1942, Burroughs Adding Machine Company inventor Ernst Racz filed several patent applications for improvements in the printing and arrangement of paper tapes and receipts on adding machines. This is one of them.