Low Keyboard Machines
This group of adding machines is comprised of all low keyboard, visible printing models.
This family of machines, to include the Class 3, 4, 4 Duplex, and 41, was later designated the Series V machines.
The Class 3 machines were first built by the Pike Adding Machine Company in Orange, New Jersey. In 1909, Burroughs bought out the Pike Company and the Class 3 went on to become one of the most popular Burroughs machines. Machines actually made by Pike are very rare today.
Burroughs was a very aggressive company toward their competition in the early years. They tried to eliminate competitors by any means possible. The Pike Adding Machine take over was an excellent example and it attracted the federal government. Finally, after the Pike takeover, the federal government filed a restriction of trade suit against Burroughs. Burroughs lost the lawsuit and had to instruct it's employees to refrain from some of the more aggressive competitive activities.
The construction of the machines was very reliable, and once again, the number of columns and the different type of carriages created an array of styles.
The Class 3 machines were called the “visible model” because, unlike the Burroughs High Keyboard Class 1 and Class 2 machines, the printing could be seen at any time by the operator. This visible feature corrected a long criticized problem of the older style Burroughs machines.
The Class 4 machines were quite similar to the Class 3, except they featured an optional multiplying keyboard arrangement and designed and featured for distribution and statistical work.
This group of adding machines is comprised of all low keyboard, visible printing models.
This family of machines, to include the Class 3, 4, 4 Duplex, and 41, was later designated the Series V machines.
The Class 3 machines were first built by the Pike Adding Machine Company in Orange, New Jersey. In 1909, Burroughs bought out the Pike Company and the Class 3 went on to become one of the most popular Burroughs machines. Machines actually made by Pike are very rare today.
Burroughs was a very aggressive company toward their competition in the early years. They tried to eliminate competitors by any means possible. The Pike Adding Machine take over was an excellent example and it attracted the federal government. Finally, after the Pike takeover, the federal government filed a restriction of trade suit against Burroughs. Burroughs lost the lawsuit and had to instruct it's employees to refrain from some of the more aggressive competitive activities.
The construction of the machines was very reliable, and once again, the number of columns and the different type of carriages created an array of styles.
The Class 3 machines were called the “visible model” because, unlike the Burroughs High Keyboard Class 1 and Class 2 machines, the printing could be seen at any time by the operator. This visible feature corrected a long criticized problem of the older style Burroughs machines.
The Class 4 machines were quite similar to the Class 3, except they featured an optional multiplying keyboard arrangement and designed and featured for distribution and statistical work.
Class 3 – Single counter, low keyboard, visible printing
Date Range -- 1911-192x
Original Price -- $125-$400
Today’s Value -- $75-$250
Class 3 with the original shipping container.
Class 3 with optional wide carraige and red column release keytops.
Old style Burroughs logo in red on this Class 3 with a wide carraige.
Class 4 – Single counter, low keyboard, visible printing, with special multiplication construction. Early machines had a dip in the case between the keyboard and the total display glass. Older models eliminated this dip. The class 4 was followed
Class 4 duplex (two registers) and by a Class 41 machine in the 1940s.
Date Range -- 1912-1945+
Original Price -- $200-700 depending on options
Today’s Value -- $150-$500
Class 4 with wide carraige.