E O Richter (c1841-1907) founded the firm in Chemnitz, Saxony, after training as a clockmaker. In 1892 he patented his “flat system”, copied by many other makers after his patent ran out in 1905. Firm became a VEB Kombinat (i.e. a state owned company) in 1945. Richter instruments continued to be made in the DDR until the 1980s at least.
A German silver flat pattern set, each instrument signed Richter with (mostly) DRP and the E O Richter monogram trade mark as well. The black leather covered case, blue velvet lined, has A G Thornton Ltd, Manchester on it. The Thornton Minerva series, introduced by 1916, were close copies of these Richter instruments, although the spring bow and pen designs were changed quite early in production (by 1922 or possibly earlier). This set probably dates from before the first world war.
Präcision XIV.P German silver flat pattern set in a black covered, blue velvet lined pocket case. The instruments themselves are unsigned but possibly by Richter, whose instruments they closely match, as Präcision was a Richter brand name. Its seller believed it dated from before the first world war but some features of the instruments look c1930 or later. Does anyone have more information?
A brass and steel rotating (drop bow) compass by E O Richter dating from about 1900. This is an early version with pen and pencil legs, each with its own single leaf spring.
‘Industrie’ series.
A later, E O Richter, nickel silver drop bow compass. This is of the twin leaf design which had the advantage of keeping the pen at the same angle to the paper irrespective of how far the compass was opened.
A Richter patent dotted line pen, unsigned but possibly made by Richter, early twentieth century.
An "Original Richter K9B H" set which probably dates from the 1960s/1970s. It was made in East Germany
Another "Original Richter" set, made in the DDR (East Germany), possibly in the 1970s. The black leather covered case is edged with steel and lined with blue felt.
An E O Richter Präcision no. 1836 set. This set contains the flat system instruments patented by Richter in 1892 and widely copied by makers such as A G Thornton once the patent expired. The pen handles are black plastic, possibly Bakelite. The case is covered in black leathercloth and lined in gray silk and cloth.
Wichmann Reisszeug no. 945 nickel silver set dating from 1946. Most of these instruments are identical to those in the Richter set above, although they are stamped Wichmann. Although Wichmann may have made some of the instruments they sold it is known that they bought many items in, which were branded Wichmann. I think it possible that these were made by Richter. The case is covered in black leathercloth and lined with blue velvet.
