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Whether you already own an antique cash register or are looking to purchase one, this page should give you some general information on antique cash register ownership.  This information applies to National cash registers made between 1888 and 1915, when National made wooden and brass cash registers.  After 1915, National switched to a cheaper sheet steel case, going from pretty and ornate to cheap and functional.  The registers made after 1915 were painted in a wood grain finish.

Model Number

The model is the key to what your register is.  The model number and serial number are usually located on a tag on the front of the machine.  If your register was made before 1909, the model number is usually located on an oval tag to the left of the register directly under the glass.  Before 1909, registers were two-digit model numbers, for example, model 72, 92, 52.  After 1909, National switched to a class system, and the model numbers changed.  So, a model 72 changed to a model 442 after 1909.

If your register was made after 1909, it is located on a plate dead center of your register directly under the glass.  It should look like this:

The top number is your serial number.  The bottom number is your model number.  The top tag represents a model 572 that has an electric motor (EL) and has 9 drawers.  So, this tag is for a floor model.  The other letters you may find are:

G - which is the kind of autographic printer that is on your register

L - Lights on your register

C - A fairly large register with more than one drawer that sits on a cabinet

F - A floor model register

If this tag is missing, the information might be found on a paper tag on the bottom of the cash drawer.  Please refer to our parts section, we do have the capabilities to make tags. The bottom number is the model number.  This model number is very important when trying to establish what kind of register you have. 

Serial Number

The below table is a guide to tell you what year your National Cash Register was shipped from the factory.  Registers were numbered sequentially, and not according to what model they were.  The serial number is the above number on the tag on the front of your machine.

Year

Serial Number

Year

Serial Number
1889 10,000 - 20,000 1903 310,000 - 370,000
1890 20,000 - 30,000 1904 370,000 - 430,000
1891 30,000 - 40,000 1905 430,000 - 490,000
1892 40,000 - 60,000 1906 490,000 - 550,000
1893 60,000 - 70,000 1907 550,000 - 610,000
1894 70,000 - 90,000 1908 610,000 - 690,000
1895 90,000 - 100,000 1909 690,000 - 800,000
1896 100,000 - 120,000 1910 800,000 - 940,000
1897 120,000 - 140,000 1911 940,000 - 1,080,000
1898 140,000 - 160,000 1912 1,080,000 - 1,220,000
1899 160,000 - 200,000 1913 1,220,000 - 1,370,000
1900 200,000 - 230,000 1914 1,370,000 - 1,470,000
1901 230,000 - 270,000 1913 1,220,000 - 1,370,000
1902 270,000 - 310,000 1914 1,370,000 - 1,470,000

If your register has a serial number that begins with an "S", this means that at some point your register was sent back to the factory to either be repaired or resold.  It may have endcaps that don't have holes in them to accommodate a top sign.  While it is impossible to tell when the register was originally sold from the factory, the S machines were numbered as follows:

S-1 January 1880   S-1000 April 1893
S-3000 September 1894   S-5000 August 1896
S-7000 February 1898   S-9000 April 1899
S-11000 February 1900   S-13000 October 1900
S-15000 July 1901   S-17000 February 1902
S-19000 September 1902   S-21000 May 1903
S-23000 November 1903   S-25000 April 1904
S-27000 July 1904   S-29000 January 1905
S-31000 July 1905   S-33000 December 1905
S-35000 March 1906   S-37000 June 1906
S-39000 October 1906   S-41000 December 1906
S-43000 March 1907   S-45000 May 1907
S-47000 July 1907   S-49000 September 1907
S-51000 October 1907   S-53000 December 1907
S-55000 February 1908   S-57000 May 1908
S-59000 August 1908   S-61000 October 1908
S-63000 January 1909   S-65000 March 1909
S-67000 May 1909   S-69000 September 1909
S-71000 December 1909   S-73000 May 1910
S-75000 November 1910   S-77000 June, 1911
S-79000 January 1912   S-81000 October 1912
S-83000 June 1913   S-85000 January 1914
S-87000 August 1914   S-89000 January 1915
S-91000 March 1915      

Case Design

National cash registers we made in red brass, nickel plate, and copper oxidized.  If your register looks to be in different colors of brass, this is because at some point somebody has stripped off the old nickel plate.  If your register was originally nickel plate, then most likely your drawer front is solid nickel, because this is the piece of the register that was touched most often, and National put solid nickel drawer fronts on the register so the nickel plate wouldn't wear off.   It is highly unlikely that if your register is a nickel plated register, that it will be completely one color under the nickel plate.  This is because when National was putting their registers together, when they got a batch from the foundry that was different colors, National just nickel plated the register.  

These finishes are personal preference, and don't affect the value of the register.  However, some of the earlier fancy nickel-plated machines were actually made from cast iron.  A buyer should be aware of this, as the castings of these machines are more difficult to restore.  All of the other finishes can be cleaned, stripped (if necessary), buffed, and polished.

National cash registers came in many patterns.  Below are examples of the more popular case designs.

This red brass Model 129 is an example of the Art Nouveau pattern

This red brass Model 313 (and most models in the 300 class) is an example of the Dolphin pattern

This copper-oxidized Model 240 is an example of the Fleur De Lis pattern

This red brass Model 442 (and most models in the 400 and 500 class) is an example of the Empire pattern

This nickel plated Model 11 is an example of the Ionic pattern

This red brass Model 52 is an example of the Renaissance pattern

This red brass Model 2 is an example of the Wide Scroll pattern

This nickel plated Model 5 is an example of the Fine Scroll pattern

COMPLETENESS

This is the most important detail to be considered when purchasing a brass cash register.  The replacement of missing parts is not only expensive, but in some cases may be impossible.  The parts price list in this web site provides a guideline for parts which are available, as well as their costs.  Keep in mind that when you buy a restored register from us, it is complete and is fully guaranteed. 

VALUE

Antique cash registers are typically priced according to scarcity and demand.  Prices of antique brass cash registers are usually consistent throughout the country.  Of course, when appraising a register to purchase, you must consider the value of your enjoyment of the piece.

 

Most importantly, the HBAC Group is a professional organization and we value our customers' trust.  All inquiries are confidential.  The HBAC Group does not buy or sell cash registers on E-Bay because so many of our valued customers do, and many of those machines have been sent to us for restoration.  In some cases, if the machine is close, we will pick it up for you.  We do on occasion bid on cash register parts, however.

Our professionalism also applies to cash registers sent to us for repair or restoration.  We will not reproduce any part of a machine without your permission nor will we post any photos of your register on our website without prior approval.

 

Send mail to hbacgroup@frontiernet.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2004 The HBAC Group
Last modified: 5/27/08