Collecting Brass Cash Registers

Nowadays the registers in the stores are allthe manufacturers had to find other materials in
electronic and made of plastic and metal. Theyorder to continue the production of the register
just don't make them like they use to. Many ofwhich was gaining popularity.
the old vintage registers are made of brass.These vintage brass registers can still be found if
These types of brass cash registers haveyou keep your eyes open. Check around at the
become a high demand for antique collectors,antique shops who sometimes have restored
especially the brands that held the name of theregisters or they may have them in the original
National Cash Register Company or the Nationalform of how they found them.
Manufacturing Company. These are theThe old brass register may not be very common
companies that took over the production of theany more in your local department store but no
registers after James Ritty sold off his initialdoubt you will find a cash register there. The
patented register in 1879.register was a simple machine created in the
These old brass cash registers were not popular1800s to add up basic numbers and it has turned
among the store owners at first. They didn't findinto a necessity for any business to thrive. The
them needed. The registers were sale registersregister now scans barcodes, brings up prices,
made to prevent thievery since the only way youholds money, and prints of receipts. But one thing
could open the till is when a transaction wasthat almost every register does that has not
made. Manufacturing companies soon created thedeferred from some of the original prototypes, is
registers more as "show items" for stores. Peoplering that bell every time a sale has been made.
would be drawn to the store to see the newThat bell is a sound of joy to every owner of a
register made of brass, and had bells and finestore because that means that he or she is
details on it.making money. So if you're an antique collector
In 1917 with the demand of the world war theseand looking for that brass cash register, you'll still
brass cash register were replaced by cheaperhave to hear the ring of that bell before you take
materials. The metal was needed for the war sohome your prized register.