The Curta.org Bulletin Board

Pete42 · Joined: 23 Sep 2022 Posts: 38

A couple of weeks ago I found a Curta I on an online portal, which is of the somewhat rare range where apostrophes meet rectangular knobs, so I couldn't resist and bought it.

Unfortunately the seller told me that he managed to get it stuck when he tested it, and asked if I still wanted to buy it at a discount, which - knowing of Romano's unmatched skills - I did.

The machine came with some interesting paperwork. A surveillance engineer in Bavaria had it as his working tool and bought it for 50 DM (approximately 15 EUR) in the 70's when it became obsolete. The inventory number is engraved in the machine and the can. And it really was stuck - no chance of getting anything to work at all. Apart from that, it was pretty dirty, just as one might expect from a tool a surveillance engineer used in the field for years.

Romano agreed to take care of it, and it just came back from Ravenna - without the engravings and the serial number I'd have thought it was a new machine.

Everything is working perfectly, the machine looks almost like new, the cushions in the can have been replaced and the machine itself has been thoroughly cleaned. And all of this for a very reasonable price.

When I have another Curta to repair/maintain/clean/whatever, I will not think twice but always choose http://www.curtaservice.it ICS - Italy Curta Service by Romano Manaresi. He's simply the best (and a very nice and friendly guy, too)!

RAPA · Joined: 17 May 2023 Posts: 31 Location: BCN Catalunya Spain

From Bavaria, and with an inventory number engraved on the machine and the can?

Does it happen to have BLVermA engraved on it?

If so, from what I've been able to find out, the engraving indicates that it belonged to the "Bayerisches Landesvermessungsamt," the "Bavarian State Surveying and Geoinformation Office."

I have a Model II, serviced by Romano.
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RP

Pete42 · Joined: 23 Sep 2022 Posts: 38

Exactly that one :-)

Have you seen the offering, or where do you know the machine from? Or is your II another one from the same source?

Pete42 · Joined: 23 Sep 2022 Posts: 38

This is in total the fifth Curta Romano serviced for me, and every single one came back much better than I expected. I'm always stunned by the level of attention to detail he has, and by the incredible beauty of machines having seen his workshop.

He's a magician, definitely :-)

RAPA · Joined: 17 May 2023 Posts: 31 Location: BCN Catalunya Spain

My Curta II has that engraving on the box and on the top of the machine, along with the inventory number. The importer's name is on the base of the tin.

I saw another Curta II on eBay a while ago (554662 563-194) and I also found one on a website (501636 563-63-2) that's no longer active, which indicated its origin. I have photos of both.
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RP

Pete42 · Joined: 23 Sep 2022 Posts: 38

I took a couple of snapshots ... nothing fancy, and apparently I should have dusted it off a little :-)

https://hindenburgring.com/photo/Curta-BLVermA/

david f · Joined: 23 Jan 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Columbus, Ohio

Pete,

How long is the turnaround, shipping and all with Romano's service? I live in the US and it would be very helpful to have a general idea of the time involved.

Glad your repair worked out so well!
David
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David Friedlander

Pete42 · Joined: 23 Sep 2022 Posts: 38

Hi David,

your best option is to send a mail to Romano and ask him when he can do it. Depending on his work load it can take a couple of weeks. In the current case I explicitly asked him not to return the machine before the holidays, as usually the postal services get into chaos mode at this time of the year.

The turnaround time was two months in this case, but at that time it had already been finished for about a month to avoid the shipping issue.

Shipping from/to the US might take a bit longer.

Best regards,

Peter.