Marchant Model 10FA Calculating Machine

This full-keyboard, non-printing electric proportional gear calculating machine has a blue metal frame with a black carriage. It has ten columns of green and white all-plastic number keys. At the base of each column is a gray tabulator set key. These keys are numbered from 1 on the right to 10 on the left. Right of the number keys are division and stop keys, subtraction and addition bars, a non-shift key, a repeat key, a negative multiplication bar, and two carriage shift keys. In front of these are clearance keys for the tab set, the keyboard, and the dials. Right of these is a column of ten keys for automatic multiplication.

Above the number keys is a row of ten windows to show a number set up. Behind this register is a movable carriage with an 20-window result register and an 11-window revolution register. The registers on the carriage have reversible decimal markers. The motor is at the back of the machine, inside the case. There are four rubber feet.

A tag attached to the bottom of the machine reads: 10FA-321409; MARCHANT. A property tag on the back reads: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION (/) 85612. A black paper tag pasted to the bottom of the machine reads: Manufactured by (/) MARCHANT CALCULATING MACHINE COMPANY (/) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. It also reads (the last in a list of patents): 2502321. It also reads: Figuremaster.

The Marchant Model 10FA was introduced in 1948 and sold through 1950 (it is not on the GSA Price List for July, 1951-June, 1952). This example was used in the Division of Extractive Industries at what was then the Smtihsonian’s Museum of History and Technology.

Reference:

SCM Collection.

Accession file.

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