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K&E 4053 Family of Slide Rules
Scale set #1 (1909-1921)
10 inch / A = B CI C = D ] K
= S L T = --- L decreases to Right
Conversion chart on rear unlabeled
8 inch / A = B CI C = D ] K
= S L T= --- L decreases to Right
Conversion chart on rear unlabeled
10 inch / A = B CI C = D ] K
= S L T = --- L decreases to Right
Conversion chart on rear unlabeled
- 4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Metal framed cursor. This rule dates around 1910 to 1912. It has similar engraving to the earlier 4053 and unlike the later 4053-3s.
- 4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Metal framed cursor. There are screws on the ends of the frame similar to German rules. This rule probably dates around 1910 to 1912. It has similar engraving to the earlier 4053 and unlike the later 4053-3s. The screws are unlike any other K&E slide rule so one can not be sure that they were originally installed by K&E.
- 4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Metal framed cursor. There are two added scales of unknown purpose above the A scale. The S scale on the rear of the slide has a second set of numbers from 90 to 45 degrees. The special scales were probably added by some user. Close examination shows that they were probably hand engraved.
- 4053-3 --- Specimen #1 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. All glass cursor with metal cursor blocks. Production #428
- 4053-3 --- Specimen #2 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. All glass cursor with metal cursor blocks. Production #527
- 4053-3 --- Specimen #3 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. All glass cursor with metal cursor blocks. Production #548
- 4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. All glass cursor. No serial number.
- 4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. All glass replacement cursor with corner ridges. No serial number.
10 inch / A = B CI C = D ] K
= S T L = --- L increases to Right
Conversion chart on rear unlabeled
- 4053-3F - 10" Fine Scale Mannheim, laminate on mahogany. All glass cursor. No serial number.
20 inch / A = B CI C = D ] K
= S T L = --- L increases to Right
Conversion chart on rear unlabeled
- 4053-5 --- 20" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. All glass cursor. No serial number.
Scale set #2 (1922-1972)
The K scale was moved from the bottom edge of the rule to the front and a centi-meter scale was added on the bottom edge.
8 inch / A = B CI C = D K ] 20 cm
= S L T= --- L increases to Right
Conversion chart on rear labeled Circular #47 on bottom of text
- N4053-2 --- 8" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. All glass cursor. Serial number 123922. Approximately 1923.
10 inch / A = B CI C = D K ] 25 cm
= S L T= --- L increases to Right
Conversion chart on rear labeled Circular #47 on left of text
- N4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. All glass cursor. Model number on right end. Serial number 274827. Approximately 1925.
- N4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. All glass cursor with ridges. Model number on right end. Serial number 356307. Approximately 1926.
- N4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Improved metal rimmed cursor. Model number on right end. Serial number 732518. Approximately 1939.
- N4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Improved metal rimmed cursor with magnifier. Model number on right end. Serial number 213894. Approximately 1945.
- N4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Improved metal rimmed cursor. Model number on left end with K&E logo on right. Serial number 671958. Approximately 1950.
Conversion chart on rear has K&E logo on left of text
- N4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Improved metal rimmed cursor. Model number on left end with K&E logo on right. Serial number 728306. Approximately 1952.
20 inch / A = B CI C = D K ] 50 cm
= S L T= --- L increases to Right
Conversion chart on rear labeled Circular #47 on left of text
- N4053-5 --- 20" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Improved metal rimmed cursor. Serial number 741077. Approximately 1954.
Conversion chart on rear has K&E logo left of text
- 4053-5 ----- 20" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Improved metal rimmed cursor. Later conversion chart. Serial number 201399. Approximately 1958.
In 1954 the construction method changed.
The profile and construction of the slide rules are significantly different. An example of this is shown in the following scans:
The scale set remained the same.
10 inch / A = B CI C = D K \ 25 cm
= S L T= --- L increases to Right
Conversion chart printed directly on rear
- 4053-3 --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Later model type construction. Improved metal rimmed cursor with magnifier. Serial number 858856. Approximately 1955.
- 68 1617 (4053-3) --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Later model type construction. Improved metal rimmed cursor. Serial number 020130.
Larger frame for 20" 68 1308 from 1962 to 1967
The scale set remained the same.
10 inch / A = B CI C = D K \ 25 cm
= S L T= --- L increases to Right
33 mm wide frame
- 68 1608 (4053-5) ----- 20" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Improved metal rimmed cursor. Later conversion chart. Serial number 400131. Approximately 1963.
Some time between 1955 and 1959 a 5" all plastic 4053 style rule was released.
The inch and centi-meter scales are not on the edges.
A = B CI C = D K
= S L T= --- L increases to Right
No conversion chart on rear
- 4153-1 --- 5" Mannheim all plastic. Improved metal rimmed cursor. Serial number 017938.
This rule came in a box marked 68 1648 yet the rule and instructions are marked 4153-1. During the early years of the new 68 series numbering system old stock was shipped under the new numbers.
- 68 1648 --- 5" Mannheim all plastic. Improved metal rimmed cursor. Serial number 009238.
US Goverment Issued Variant with Decimal Trig Scales.
The inch and centi-meter scales are not on the edges.
A = B CI C = D K
= S L T= --- L increases to Right
S and T scales are referenced to the C and D scales and are divided in decimal degrees.
Conversion chart printed directly on rear
- D 68 1617 (D4053-3) --- 10" Mannheim laminate on mahogany. Decimal trig scales. Later model type construction. Improved metal rimmed cursor. Serial number 870507.