Marchant Model H9 Calculating Machine

This full-keyboard, non-printing manually operated pinwheel calculating machine has a metal frame painted black and nine columns of black and white plastic keys. At the base of each bank of keys is a red clearance key. The columns of the keyboard are identified below the keys, going from right to left. The underlying keyboard is painted green. Between banks of keys are rotating metal rods for decimal markers.

Right of the number keys is a red clear key and a red ADD key. When the add key is depressed, the keyboard clears after each operation.The operating crank on the right rotates backward (clockwise) for addition and multiplication and forward (counterclockwise) for subtraction and division. It is further toward the front of the machine than on the model KC, and has no stop.

Behind the keyboard is a movable carriage with the 18-window result register. A crank at the front of the machine shifts the carriage and a mechanism on the left end of the carriage apparently is meant to clear it. Behind and above the carriage is a row of nine windows showing digits entered, a lever that can be set for multiplication or division, and a row of nine windows for the revolution register. A small crank on the right side clears this register. Metal rods with sliding decimal markers are above all three registers. The machine has four rubber feet. A bell rings when the result passes through zero.

Plates attached to the right and left sides read: MARCHANT. Metal plate to the right of the keyboard reads: MARCHANT (/) CALCULATORS (/) SIMPLICITY (/) ACCURACY (/) SPEED. Metal tag attached to base reads: H9-8090. Masking tape on the top of the machine reads: 1250, Mark on bottom of machine reads:10004.

The model H9 was introduced in 1927. It sold for $350 in 1930 and 1931. In 1933, the “MARCHANT” plates on the sides of the machine were replaced by lettering on the sides, hence the date given.

References:

Business Machines and Equipment Digest, 1928, vol. I, p. 9-23;

Office Machines Research Service, 1938, vol. 3, 4.31, p. 1–6; 1979.3084.98.

Currently not on view