Sans & Streiffe #310 Slide Rule - With RARE BLACK Ricoh-Style Case--NIB!

Description

Every slide rule collector is familiar with Ricoh's brown leather case.   These cases were supplied with most  full-length rules that  Ricoh supplied--or at least I thought so until I came upon this rule.    This one came with a BLACK VINYL version of the standard case.   Same shape and size, but made of heavy black vinyl instead  of brown leather. I have never seen any Ricoh rule, for any of the brands that Ricoh built rules for  (i.e., SIC, Engineers, Lafayette, Micronta, Skyline, Sells, TOBE, Lutz, Jason, etc.) or for Relay /Ricoh house brands with a case like this.. Why this rule has a non-standard case I do not know.   Leather shortage?  Budgetary considerations?   Or?
In any case, this is an excellent example of a Ricoh 310.   It is new, still in plastic bag. and in original box.   The 310 is a heavy-duty Mannheim-style rule, with 10 scales: K,A|B,CI,C|D,L on the front and |S,S&T,T| on the back of the slide.   In addition, it has a 25 cm scale on the top, tapered  edge, and a 10-inch scale on the bottom edge.   The box is solid, but a little beat up and with some store-added markings on the end.   The case is mint and includes, in a separate bag, the sought-after belt loop.  It has the Sans & Streiffe logo  heat-stamped on the flap.    The instruction manual (with care instruction slip) is included.
I have had this rule in my collection since 2005.   I have stored the rule outside of the case and the manual in an envelope (so it is flat) since that time.   The fit of the rule is very tight and I would not use it for storage, but it sure is an interesting variation!
Check out my other auctions for more nice rules.
PayPal only.