France and Belgium
Slide Rule Gallery

This gallery is dedicated to Belgium and French slide rules and manufacturers. (Manufacturers not found in their own gallery)

Note: When you read "Brevet SGG" or "Brevet SGDG" on a French item, this means, in French: "Brevet Sans Garantie Du Gouvernement", translated to English: "Patented without government warranty". ie, if the government does not restrict or warrants the product, than the idea is considered original.

Also visit the French manufacturer Graphoplex Slide Rule Gallery
Another excellent Museum that displays French Slide Rules is photocalcul.com - Gonzalo Martin's website (in French and Spanish). Many images from photocalcul.com are shown in this, and other ISRM galleries.

Arnault & Paineau Circular Slide Rule (Carrees & Cubiques) ISRM 24.07.04.40.X	Arnault & Paineau Circular Slide Rule( Carrees & Cubiques) Made in France c1921 by Arnault & Paineau Materials: 2 piece 4mm overall thickness, 3mm aluminum substrate and 1mm outer scale and rotor. There are 8 rivets that hold the thin outer scale sheet to the thicker base. Celluloid cursor, brass knobs, wood backing and frame. This one is missing the brass knob on the cursor. (see othe examples in the links). Front Scale: G Cos, Sin, F[L scale], E[C scale], D[CI scale]( C[D scale], B[B scale 1st decade], A[B scale 2nd decade]) Note: It seems to be designed specifically for calculating the circumferance and areas of circles. Tom Dilatush Collection Manual (French) Courtesy of Nathan Zeldes
Arnault & Paineau Banque No.5 Circlular Slide Rule (Commercial) REF	Arnault & Paineau Banque No.5 Circlular Slide Rule (Commercial) Made in France c1921 by Arnault & Paineau Materials: 2 piece 12cm Square, 4mm overall thickness, 3mm aluminum substrate and 1mm outer scale and rotor. Celluloid cursor, brass knobs. wood backing and frame. This one is missing the brass knob on the cursor. (see othe examples in the links). Front Scale: C, B [ A ] Scan By Gonzalo Martin Collection, photocalcul.com Manual (French) Courtesy of Gonzalo Martin

J.D. Barbotheu, 17 Reu Béranger, Paris, France

The company Barbotheu was founded by Georges Barbotheu (1857-1925) in 1885. This French precision instruments maker was established in Paris. Three addresses are known in Paris: 16 Rue Saint Gilles, 1888; 10 Rue Saint Gilles, 1889 - 1892; and 17 Rue Béranger, 1893 - 1913.. They had a factory rue de la Jarry in Vincennes. They were active at least until 1938 (listed in a directory of French companies). Some of the slide rules bearing this brand might have been actually produced by Tavernier-Gravet. Courtesy of Rod Lovett. Barbotheu Mannheim (early) Slide Rule REF Barbotheu Mannheim (early) Slide Rule c1900 Made in 17 Reu Béranger, Paris, France by J.D. Barbotheu. Material is Pearwood. Front Scale (Labels given as formula): 25cm // A [ B, C ] D || ?? Back Scale: [ S, L, T ] Well: 27cm-52cm Back Label and well: Equivalents in French Archive - HSRC Collection Barbotheu 102 Mannheim (Lot 51) Amber Lens Slide Rule ISRM 24.07.04.49 Barbotheu 102 Mannheim (Lot 51) Amber Lens Slide Rule c1905 Made in France by J.D. Barbotheu. Material is Pearwood. Lot 51 Front Scale (Labels given as formula): 25cm // A [ B, C ] D || 25cm Back Scale: [ S, L, T ] Back Label and well: Equivalents in French Tom Dilatush Collection Barbotheu No.922 Universelle Slide Rule ISRM 24.07.04.43 Barbotheu No.922 Universelle Slide Rule Made in France by J.D. Barbotheu. Material is Pearwood Front Scale (Labels given as formula): 25cm // DIF [ CI, B, C ] DF, KF || 10cm-0-15cm Back Scale: [ S, Log, T ] Back Label and well: Equivalents in French Tom Dilatush Collection Barbotheu Mannheim V1 Slide Rule REF Barbotheu Mannheim V1 Slide Rule c1905 Made in France by J.D. Barbotheu. Material is Pearwood. Lot 85 Front Scale (Labels given as formula): 25cm // K, A [ B, CI, C ] D || ?? Back Scale: [ S, L, T ] Back Label and well: Equivalents in French Tom Dilatush Collection Barbotheu Mannheim V2 Slide Rule REF Barbotheu Mannheim V2 Slide Rule c1905 Made in France by J.D. Barbotheu. Material is Pearwood. Lot 18 Front Scale (Labels given as formula): 25cm // K, A [ B, CI, C ] D || ?? Back Scale: [ S, L, T ] Back Label and well: Equivalents in French Tom Dilatush Collection Besse Besse Cadran Comparateur (Dial Comparator) Besse Cadran Comparateur (Dial Comparator) Made in France, Invented by Besse, Pharmacien, a (in) Montdidier (France) 14cm diameter Front Scale: Units Conversion of Pharmaceutical weights. Text on face: Les formalites vouldes par la loi ayant ete remplies, sera regarde comme contrefart tout exemplaire qui ne portera pas la signature de l'Auteur, Besse. Archive - 2009 Phillip Weiss Auction Charpentier Charpentier Calculimetre Charpentier Calculimetre Made in France - 5.92cm diameter Front Scale: D, C ( W1, W2) Back scale: L, S, T Archive - Giovanni Breda Collection Presentation by Gonzola Martin, 2009, France (704KB pdf) Original Instruction Sheet, French (2.5MB pdf) Lenoir (1820-1827), Gravet-Lenoir (1827-1867) See L introduction des regles A calcul en France (1815-1852) by Marc Thomas. IM2010 proceedings Étienne Lenoir - (1744-1832) Paris, France. A French scientific instrument maker and inventor of the repeating circle. When hired by Jean-Charles de Borda around 1772 to work on the reflecting circle, he was about thirty years old and nearly illiterate. However, his intelligence and mechanical genius allowed him to perform work that few others could perform. He played a significant role in the improvements to the reflecting circle and later used this experience in inventing the repeating circle. As a result of this work, he became known as the pre-eminent maker of instruments for astronomy, navigation and surveying in France. In 1787, the king of France appointed him certificated engineer to the king. He created the instruments used on all the major French geodetic surveying projects and major naval expeditions of the time. Lenoir Rock in Antartica is named after him. He worked primarily for the Commission des Poids et Mesures (Weights and Measures Commission) after 1792 and for the Commission du Metre (Metre Commission - for the determination of the metric unit of length, the metre). For these commissions, he produced the instruments used to measure the meridian arc and created the platinum rules for baseline measurements. In 1793, he made and signed the provisional standard brass metre. He also invented a comparator for the measurement of the definitive standard metre. Lenoir was also a member of the Commission temporaire des Arts (1793-1794). He was made a member of the Bureau des Longitudes in 1814 and received the Legion of Honour. from Museum Galileo His son, Paul-Étienne Lenoir(1776-1827) died before his father (1832). Their work was carried on by one of their employees named, Mabire, who took over the workshop at 14 Rue Cassette in Paris. It is Gravet that succeeds Lenoir as far as slide ruler were concerned but little is known about Gravet. also see Tavernier-Gravet (successor to Gravet-Lenoir) (1867-1972) Lenoir SOHO c1825 26cm ISRM 24.07.04.57.X Lenoir SOHO c1825 26cm Made in France - SOHO type scales . 200 years old. Front Scale: A [ B, C ] D Well: 26-58 CM Back of Slide: 0-50, 0-40,L Back: Guniers scales, Conversions, Weights Tom Dilatush Collection, USA A Very Early Lenoir Slide Rule by Marc Thomas, France. Journal of the Oughtred Society, Volume 19, Number 1, Spring, 2010 Lenoir SOHO c1825 26cm REF Lenoir SOHO c1825 26cm Made in France - SOHO type scales Front Scale: A [ B, C ] D Well: 26-52 CM, 9.5-12.25 Inch Back of Slide: ?,?,?,L Back: Conversions, Weights Archive - Etienne Pommel Collection, France, Courtesy of photocalcul.com Details Gravet-Lenoir SOHO 1829-1844 25cm REF Gravet-Lenoir SOHO 1829-1844 25cm Made in France - 14 R. Cassette, Paris. SOHO type scales Front Scale: A [ B, C ] D Well: 26-52 CM, 9.5-12.25 Inch Back of Slide: ?,?,?,L Back: Diviseurs pour, Conversions, Weights Archive - Etienne Pommel Collection, France, Courtesy of photocalcul.com Details Logarecta Déposé REF Logarecta Déposé - Malta Logarithmic Scales Logarecta Déposé - Malta Logarithmic Scales Made in Belgium Front Scale: BackScale: Trig scales Archive - Herman van Herwijnen's SR Catalogue MARC Slide Rules With UNIS marks. Union Nationale Inter Syndacale is French organization monitoring the quality of French goods. The "UNIS" marking found on slide rules was more or less equivalent to stating that the product was "Made in France". See more samples of Slide Rules marked with "UNIS" in United States gallery.. These were exported to the USA and rebranded for Guedon and Dietzgen. See other rare French slide rules and sectors in the Rarities gallery, and Troncets (Addiators) in the Mechanical Adders gallery. MARC Generic Mannheim 13cm (Thin-film cursor) ISRM 22.10.14.10 MARC Generic Mannheim 13cm (Thin-film cursor) Made in France Front Scale: 13cm // A [ B, C ] D Back slide: Blank Gifted by John Holmes of Washington, D.C. MARC Generic Mannheim ISRM 14.07.02.92 MARC Generic Mannheim Made in France Front Scale: 5-1/2in // A [ B, C ] D Promo (on back and on sleeve: The Everstick Anchor Company, Fairfield, Iowa Back slide: Blank Gifted by Ed Millis, Dallas, Texas MARC Pocket Rietz ISRM 22.07.06.67 MARC Pocket Rietz Made in France Front Scale (Extended): 5-1/2in // K, A [ B, CI, C ] D, L Back: 15cm [ S, L, T ] Gifted by Cindy Tate, Bozeman, Monartana. Victor B. tate Collection MARC Electro - Spéciale pour Électriciens REF MARC Electro - - Spéciale pour Électriciens Made in France, UNIS marks Front Scale: 13cm // KW, A [ B, C ] D, Well: DYN MOT Slide Rule Scan Courtesy of Oliver Cassou Collection, France 1932 MARC Advertisement Courtesy of reglasdecalculo.com MARC No 5 Électriciens ISRM 13.06.20.06 MARC No 5 Électriciens Made in France, UNIS marks Front Scale: 13cm // A (KW) [ B (KW), C (CV)] D (CV) Well: DYN MOT Donated by Phillip Rodley, Upper Hutt, New Zealand Instructions Instructions (PDF) MARC No 6 REF MARC No 6 Made in France, UNIS marks Front Scale: 13cm // K, A [ B, CI, C ] D, L Slide: [ S,S&T, T] Archive - Herman van Herwijnen's SR Catalogue MARC Thin Film Cursor ISRM 14.07.02.94 MARC Thin Film Cursor Made in France, UNIS marks Front Scale: 13cm // A [ B, C ] D Back: 13cm Scale: Gift of Ed Millis, Dallas, Texas MARC Metric, Thin Film Cursor ISRM 17.05.02.53 MARC Metal Framed Cursor Made in France, UNIS marks Front Scale: 13cm // A [ B, C ] D Back: 13cm scale. Back Promo: Underfeed Stoker Company Limited Gift of Mike Weaver, U.K. MARC Régle REF MARC Réglec Made in France, UNIS marks Front Scale: 13cm // K, A [ B, CI, C ] D, L Slide: [ S,S&T, T] Archive - Herman van Herwijnen's SR Catalogue Maurice Damien 39, Rue des Mathurins, Paris Maurice Damien Universal Calculation Ruler (Regle A Calculus) ISRM 13.02.13.01 Maurice Damien Universal Calculation Ruler (Regle A Calculus) Made in France - c1930 Front Scale (extended): 27cm // K, A [ B, CI, C ] D, L \\ 10.5inch Back scale: [ S, S&T, T ] Multilined Cursor (repaired, does not seem to be the original frame, which should be metal) Note:28cm long, Extruded Aluminum construction, Railroad Track style divisions, photo printed using 'Photal Process' Gift of Phillip Rodley of UpperHutt, New Zealand This slide rule and others in the ISRM archives and galleries were donated through the generosity and support of Phillip Rodley. Phil is very enthusiatic in finding slide rules in New Zealand that are not available to the rest of the world, and gifting them to ISRM. He enjoys the American brands that have leather sleeves and belt loops. Maurice Damien Universal Ruler (Regle A Calculus) REF Maurice Damien Universal Ruler (Regle A Calculus) Made in France - c1930 Front Scale (extended): 27cm // K, A [ B, CI, C ] D, L \\ 10.5inch Back scale: [ S, S&T, T ] Multilined Cursor (repaired, does not seem to be the original frame, which should be metal) Note:28cm long, Extruded Aluminum construction, Railroad Track style divisions, photo printed using 'Photal Process' This version has a flat back plate as compared to the one in the ISRM collection. Scan By Gonzalo Martin Collection, photocalcul.com Box label Maurice Damien Regle A Calculus No16 REF Maurice Damien Regle A Calculus No16 Made in France - c1930 Front Scale (extended): 27cm // K, A [ B, CI, C ] D, L \\ 10.5inch Back scale: [ S, S&T, T ] Multilined Cursor (repaired, does not seem to be the original frame, which should be metal) Note:28cm long, Extruded Aluminum construction, Railroad Track style divisions, photo printed using 'Photal Process' This version has a stamped back plate similar to the 'Universal' in the ISRM collection. Scan By Gonzalo Martin Collection, photocalcul.com Maurice Damien AAF40-4 Aviation Flight Computer REF Maurice Damien AAF40-4 Aviation Flight Computer Made in France - c1930 Front Scale (extended): Distance (Time (Minutes), Time (Hours), Temp Air, Altimeter Correction Back scale: Course and Wind Drift Correction Note: Photo printed using 'Photal Process' Scan By Gonzalo Martin Collection, photocalcul.com Jean-Francois Richer, L'Hermite, LeJard et. Cie, Paris Maison Richer LeJard CIE Tachymetrical Slide Rule MVK 24.07.04.71 Harvard University Collection of Scientific Instruments has a brass version of the Richer Tachymetrical: Maison Richer LeJard CIE Tachymetrical Slide Rule Made in France, Designed by Jean-Francois Richer 1743-1820 who was renowned for his divided scales. Maison Richer (translates to Richer House), Guyard & Canary (Paris)” Note: It is identical to one made by the Paris firm H. Morin, then at Rue Boursault nr. 3. It is possible that LeJard c1870 was the successor company to Maison Richer and then H. Morin c1882 obtained the Richer tooling to make the scales. Dimensions: 0.8 x 43.1 x 3.1 cm (5/16 x 16 15/16 x 1 1/4 in.) Material: German Silver stored in a mahagony clam shell box. Note: other variations were made from brass. Front Scale: Nomb [ Sinus Nomb ] Nomb Back of Slide: Nomb [ Tang, P.E. , Sin-2 , Sin-2 ] Nomb Note: Nomb is short for Nombre or Number. Michael Konshak Collection. Reference page 7 of this 2005 UKSRC paper by Otto van Poelje: Stadia or Tachymetrical Slide Rules Close ups of the Sinus Caract Side Close ups of theTang P.E. Side. TAVERNIER-GRAVET Tavernier-Gravet (1867-1972) Instruments de Mathématiques Fabrique de Régles a Calul, fondee en 1820 19, Rue Mayet; ci-devant, 39, rue de Babylone, Paris, France Tavernier-Gravet Slide Rules Chronology by Panagiotis Venetsianos, JOS Vol.11, No.2, Fall 2002 Tavernier-Gravet (Early Lenoir Design) c1840-1869 ISRM 24.07.04.70 Tavernier-Gravet (Early Lenoir Design) c1840-1869 Made in France by Tavernier-Gravet Secretan A Paris, 39 Rue de Babylon, Paris.- design by Lenoir. Front Scale: 26cm, A [ B, B ] C || 26cm Well: 26-52CM Back of Slide: S 0-90, T 0-45,L Back: Conversions, Weights (partial label in French) Tom Dilatush Collection, USA K&E Early Import REF K&E Early Import Made in France for K&E by Tavernier-Gravet Front Scale: 20cm // A [ B, C ] D || 20cm Back Scale: [ S, L, T ] Back: Equivalents (conversion factors) Note: Medaillis d'Or 1878 et 1889 - This means a gold medal for excellence Archive: Herman van Herwijnen SRC Tavernier-Gravet REF Tavernier-Gravet - c1900 Made in France- Rue Mayet 19, Paris Front Scale: 25cm // A, DF [ CF, CI, C ] D \\ 25cm Back Scale (Slide): [S, L, T ] Cursor: Brass Chisel Point Archive - Rod Lovett Collection Tavernier-Gravet Chisel Cursor Mannheim ISRM 24.07.04.69 Tavernier-Gravet Chisel Cursor Mannheim- 1889-1898 Made in France - Rue Mayet 19, Paris Front Scale: 25cm // A [ B, C ] D Back Scale (Slide): [S, L, T ] Back: Equivalents (French) Scan Courtesy of Tom Dilatush Collection Tavernier-Gravet Chisel Cursor Mannheim Cellulous Laminate ISRM 24.07.04.48 Tavernier-Gravet Chisel Cursor Mannheim Cellulous Laminate- c1900 Made in France - Rue Mayet 19, Paris Shows Medailles d' ord 18778 et 1889 (another medal was won in 1900) Front Scale: 25cm // A [ B, C ] D Well: 26-51.5cm Back Scale (Slide): [S, L, T ] Back: Equivalents (French) Tom Dilatush Collection Tavernier-Gravet c1910 ISRM 14.09.25.03.X Tavernier-Gravet - c1910 Made in France - Rue Mayet 19, Paris Material: Pearwood Front Scale: 25cm // A, [ B, C ] D || 25cm Well: 28-53.6cm Back Scale (Slide): [S, L, T ] Cursor: Cast Brass frame with glass lens with hairline Back: Equivalents in French Note: Has 48 π on end of stock and slide. These are either lot codes and/or maker marks. Original owner: H.M.J. scratched on cursor and on cardboard sleeve. Gift of Phillip Rodley, Upper Hutt, New Zealand Phillip Rodley Tavernier-Gravet Beghin Model Depose 10-3 REF Tavernier-Gravet Beghin Model Depose 10-3 Made in France Front Scale (unmarked) 27cm // A, DF [ CF, CI, C ] D, K || L Back Slider [ S, T, B ] Back: Equivalents and Conversion factors Note: Early riveted laminated wood stock, railroad track divisions, Metal framed multi-hairline glass cursor. Scan Courtesy of Giovanni Brenda Collection, Italy Tavernier-Gravet Beghin REF Tavernier-Gravet Beghin - c1920 Made in France - Rue Mayet 19, Paris Front Scale: 25cm // A, DF [ CF, CI, C ] D, K, L Back Scale (Slide): [S, T, B ] Cursor: 3 hairlines Scan Courtesy of Giovanni Breda Collection Tavernier-Gravet Mannheim REF Tavernier-Gravet Mannheim - dc8-28 (Aug 1928) Made in France - Rue Mayet 19, Paris Front Scale: 25cm // A [ B, C ] D Back Scale (Slide): [S, L, T (inverted) ] Back: Equivalents (French) Scan Courtesy of Tom Dilatush Collection Tavernier-Gravet Plastic REF Tavernier-Gravet Plastic - c1950 Made in Paris, France Front Scale (extended) 25cm // A [ B, CI, C ] D Back Scale (Slide): [S, S&T, T ] Scan Courtesy of Tom Dilatush Collection Tavernier-Gravet Plastic Electro ISRM 24.07.04.44 Tavernier-Gravet Plastic Electro - c1950 Made in Paris, France. "62" on end of stock and slide. Aluminum framed cursor. Front Scale (extended): 25cm // LL2, A [ B, CI, C ] D, LL3 Well Scales: DYNAMO-MOTEUR, VOLT# Back Scale (Slide): [S, S&T, T ] Tom Dilatush Collection Tavernier-Gravet Plastic REF Tavernier-Gravet Plastic - c1950 Made in Paris, France Front Scale (extended) 25cm // A [ B, CI, C ] D Back Scale (Slide): [S, S&T, T ] Scan Courtesy of Rod Lovett Collection Tavernier-Gravet Beghin REF Tavernier-Gravet Beghin - dc 7-23(july 1923) Made in France - Rue Mayet 19, Paris Front Scale: 35cm // A, DF [ CF, CI, C ] D, K, L Back Scale (Slide): [S, T, B ] Cursor: 3 hairlines Scan Courtesy of Tom Dilatush Collection Copyright © 2003- International Slide Rule Museum