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RELAY/RICOH

PAGE THREE

With the big duplex log log types, both "standard" and "vectorial and or electronic" out of the way, along with a couple darmstadts, now let's get into some of the other types. They made more types than many folks might think. And we have a couple surprises as well!

252

10"

Presumably the 152, modified (??) 16 scales. Sold by LUTZ in the US.

K,A[ B,T1,T2,ST,S ]D,DI
DF[ CF,CIF,CI,C ]D,L

Notes: A decidedly odd Relay/Ricoh type, with equal length stators. Sometimes marked " U.S." or "U.S. GOVERNMENT". I have a photo of a Relay manual for a model 252 ( also for models 151,153, and 551) so presumably this is a re-label job, but what about those equal length stators?? It is known that SIC distributed the 152 as the 1520. Lutz, a drafting co. in New Jersey, was a known US military supplier, perhaps supplying these too. This rule is very similar to Hemmi's model 250, which was the basis of the well known POST 1450 VERSATRIG. Rare divided "T" scale for R/R rules, as well. See model 152 in the 1959 catalog page. A date code of a RELAY 252 was seen to be 1961.

102S

10"

Another LUTZ rule, again presumed to be a custom job. 9 scales.

S,K,A[ B,CI,C ]D,L,T

Notes. This rule uses THE SAME EXACT DUPLEX BODY as the above 252, but only has scales on one side. The other side is blank. Also seen marked "U.S.". While these marks could be date codes (1972) it is unlikely. These are the only currently known LUTZ rules, along with a 6" model 7900 mannheim type and the big 151P. There of course could be more.

550

A nice duplex pocket rule. 13 scales.

A[ B,S,T,C ]D,K
DF[ CF,CI,C ]D,L

KNOWN RE-BRANDINGS: S.I.C.: 5500. OMEGA: ??

Notes: A fine duplex pocket type, these are also as thick as a full size rule, and a bit longer than most other comparable types. The OMEGA type is odd, because a rule marked "RELAY" has also been seen with the same model number. Perhaps a rule made for them but early enough that the company name could not be added.

450

Another duplex pocket type. 10 scales.

A[ S,L,T ]D
DF[ CF,CI,C ]D

KNOWN RE-BRANDINGS: S.I.C.: 4500

Notes: New info proves this was a 4 inch rule, and was at least for a time made concurrently with the 550. Not very common in the U.S. at all.

510

10"

A rule from the predecessor of Relay/Ricoh, namely NIPPON SLIDE RULE CO. LTD.

L,K,DF[ CF,CIF,CI,C ]D,LL0, LL/0
LL/1, LL/2, LL/3, A[ B, T, S, ST, C] D, LL1, LL2, LL3

With the exception of the 510 above, we have now listed all the major types commonly seen in the U.S., namely the 151, PICKETT B-1, 150, 153, 157, 551, DIETZGEN's B-1734, B-1735, and 1737 SIGMA, the 107 ELECTRO, the 550, and the LUTZ models 252 and 102s, and a few others thrown in. Other variants of these basic rule types certainly exist and are not listed here. As I find them, I'll add them to these archives. Many other types exist but are far less common. But we're not done!! If you enjoyed the pre-1959 NIKKEI 510 above, you'll certainly enjoy what's next!

NEWLY REVISED INFORMATION!! Thanks to Mr. John Spivey, owner of a NIKKEI 510, we have some new information to share about this odd rule. This rule sold on E-Bay quite a while ago, and I had originally placed here what little info I knew about it. But more has now been added.
    According to Mr. Spivey, a noted expert on the slide rules of HEMMI, this NIKKEI 510, made by the predecessor of RELAY, namely the NIPPON SLIDE RULE CO., is almost an exact copy of an early, first scale set HEMMI 259. In many ways, in many details, and in size, it is nearly exact, though much more crude in certain construction details. Not odd, for it to be a copy, if you consider that many makers offered the same scale sets as competitors. But, here we have a problem.
     The problem is that since HEMMI introduced the 259 in 1951, this rule would have to be later than that if it were a copy. And, Mr. Spivey feels certain, as do I, that it is not a re-branded HEMMI rule, either. This goes against the established history of NIPPON/RELAY/RICOH, as it is believed that the company changed names in 1950, from NIPPON SLIDE RULE CO. to RELAY INDUSTRIAL CO. And that's all the info we have.
     This rule just goes to show that there's more research to be done on what came BEFORE the RELAY rules we commonly see here, which were the first types to be imported in large numbers. NIKKEI rules were known to have been sold by LAFAYETTE, but dates are hard to lock down. It looks like the first LAFAYETTE catalogs to carry slide rules were 1960, so that even further confuses things!
     AS any further info is found, I will post it up. For now, keep an eye peeled for any odd "NIKKEI" rules!!

23 SCALES, 8 LOG-LOG SCALES

UPDATE!! ANOTHER 510 RULE SEEN, and we have been in contact with it's owner!