T E C H N I C A L   D A T A  of the Mechanical Calculator MARCHANT (B) STANDARD
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Serial Number:       4329

Dimensions:   (ca.)  Width   =  18_1/2" /  47 cm   ( with       )
                     Depth   =  10    " /  25 cm   (    its     )
                     Height  =   6    " /  15 cm   (      BOARD )

Weight:       (ca.)  26 lbs  /  57 kg   ( with its wooden BOARD )

Mechanics:           Pin-Wheel / Sprossenrad
                     10s Carry Mechanism + Animation

Functions:           Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide

Registers:           Input       =   9  Decimals
                     Counter     =  10  Decimals (NO Carry; Neg.Figures RED)
                     Arithmetic  =  18  Decimals
Manufacturer:
                     MARCHANT Calculating Machine Co.
                     Oakland, California / USA
                     1917

H O W   T O   U S E   the    MARCHANT (B) STANDARD
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This old machine needs a lot of force to operate !
R E M :  The COUNTER-FIGURES (w/r) follows the  "FELIKS-TYPE"-Scheme ...

BASIC SETTINGS:
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(a) Crank:
----------
For addition (+) the crank is turned clockwise; for subtraction (-) the
crank is turned counter-clockwise. In idle position the crank is down &
locked. To make one or more turns with the crank, pull out the handle
to unlock. When finished the turn(s), let the handle snap into the lock
again. The locked down position only makes other functions accessible.

REMARKS:   It is possible to lock the handle in its "pull-out position".
--------
           Every started turn has to be finished completely!
           Accidentally started turns are correctible somehow.

(b) Clearing Registers:
-----------------------
Procedure to clear the input:
    Shifting the LEVER under the input to the left will close the lower
    ends of the "input-slots". Turn the crank clockwise until all input-
    levers are reset because of this new barrier in the "input-slots".
    Than release the LEVER and finish the clockwise turn. In order to
    erase this "count" you may make immediate a "subtract" (-) counter-
    clockwise turn with the crank and than let it snap into the lock.

The counter unit
    will be cleared with the WING-NUT on the LEFT SIDE of the carriage

The arithmetic register
    will be cleared with the WING-NUT on the RIGHT SIDE of the carriage

(c) Shifting the Carriage:
--------------------------
Pushing the LEFT or RIGHT KEY on front will move the carriage one step
left or one step right. When the CENTER LEVER is pulled, the carriage
can be moved continuously right or left by hand.

The left position "1" is the "Start Position" of the carriage.

ADDITION & SUBTRACTION:
=======================
Example:     123 + 45 - 6  =  162

Clear input, counter and arithmetic units.

ADD: Enter the first number (123) in the far right of the input unit.
Make a positive (clockwise) turn with the crank to transfer the number
into arithmetic unit. The counting unit displays the figure 1. Enter the
second number (45). Make a positive (clockwise) turn with the crank to
add the number. The arithmetic unit displays the intermediate sum (168)
and the counting unit displays the figure 2.

SUBTRACT: Enter the third number (6). Make a negative (counter-clockwise)
turn with the crank. The arithmetic unit displays the result (162) and
the counting unit is decreased by 1.

REMARK:      NEGATIVE RESULTS are displayed in the arithmetic unit
             as the COMPLEMENT of the next higher 10, 100, 1000, ...

             Example:   -12  =  99...9988

MULTIPLICATION:
===============
Example:     123 x 45  =  5535

Clear input, counter and arithmetic units.

Enter the multiplicand (123) in the far right of the input unit. The
multiplicator (45) has two digits, so the carriage is shifted to
position 2. Make positive (clockwise) turns with the crank, until the
first figure of the multiplicator (4) will appear in the 2nd position of
the counter unit. Shift the carriage to position 1. Repeat making positive
turns with the crank, until the second figure of the multiplicator (5)
appears in the 1st position of the counter unit. The multiplication is
done: The multiplicand (123) stays in the input unit, the multiplicator
(45) in the counter and the result (5535) is in the arithmetic unit.

DIVISION:
=========
Example:   22 : 7  =  3.142857142  Remainder 6


Division requires 3 steps:

(1st) To Set the Dividend into Arithmetic Unit:
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    For the maximum number of decimals, pull out the carriage to the far
    right position. Enter the dividend (22) in the far right of the input
    unit. Make a positive (clockwise) turn with the crank to transfer
    into arithmetic unit.

(2nd) To Set the Divisor into Input Unit:
-----------------------------------------
    Clear the counter.
    Enter the divisor (7) above the dividend (22).

(3rd) To Divide:
----------------
    Make negative (counter-clockwise) turns with the crank until the
    arithmetic unit shows an "underflow". Make one positive (clockwise)
    turn with the crank. Move the carriage to the next left position.
    Repeat this procedure until the required number of decimals ...

    The result (3.142857142) is in the counter units, and the remainder
    (6) is in the arithmetic unit. The divisor (7) stays in the input unit,
    therefore an additional decimal can be estimated ...
    ( 8, cause 8 x 7 = 56 ).

                       Have a look at "Calculating Trickies" ...
impressum:
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© C.HAMANN             http://public.BHT-Berlin.de/hamann              11/17/12