Hi, I purchased a used calculator almost 40 years ago and after playing with it was put in a drawer with the instructions.
Every now and again I visit EB and check the value of the machines and was quite surprised, not just at the value, but also the lack of effort to remove the screws in the base without damaging them and the bottom plate. One particular calculator advertised as "Pristine" and being sold for a high price has been really butchered.
Many years ago I served an apprenticeship as a scientific instrument maker and one of the first things we made in the training school were screwdrivers that would not damage screw heads, I'm sure these can be purchased.
Looking at all the EB images of Curta calculators, I would say 95% of the offerings have the butchered base plate and screws, makes one wonder what went on inside?
Terry

teryacky wrote:

...Looking at all the EB images of Curta calculators, I would say 95% of the offerings have the butchered base plate and screws, makes one wonder what went on inside?

Before Curtas became collector's items, it happened that they were used a lot in real life - so it's not surprising that the base plate is worn. And it also happens that the screws are no longer new - but I can not share the impression that 95% are bad...


[ a well used Curta ]


It helps to use the right screwdriver, of course, ...in any case