Segment Shifter
  • Blog
  • Typewriters 101
  • Reviews
  • History
    • Adverts
    • Factories
  • Sightings
  • Videos
  • About Me

Review: Olympia SM4 (1960)

25/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

VERDICT
Beautiful, durable, reliable. This typewriter would be almost perfect if it didn't suffer from one major flaw: the carriage shift. If this doesn't bother you, then you can't go wrong getting yourself one of these classic Olympia machines.

​
SPECIFICATIONS
  • Manufacturer: Olympia Werke AG ("Olympia")
  • Model: SM4
  • Class: Portable
  • Color: Dark green with chrome accents and black keys
  • Serial Number: 1604994
  • Manufacture date: 1960
  • Production location: Wilhelmshaven, West Germany
  • Typeface: Pica (Standard)
  • Keyboard layout: German (QWERTZ)
  • Shift system: Carriage shift
  • Ribbon spool type: Group 1 (DIN 2103 and DIN 32755)
  • Weight: 6.85 kg (15.1 lbs) without hard case; 9.73 kg (21.5 lbs) in hard case
  • Dimensions:  15cm  x  35cm  x  32cm  (5.9"  x  13.8"  x  12.6")

Read More
0 Comments

Review: Adler Gabriele 35 / J5 (1968)

24/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
VERDICT
The plastic is a let down, but don't overlook this typewriter. Everything on the inside is well-made and the machine offers a smooth writing experience for any aspiring typist. I even found myself warming to the angular design after a while.

​
SPECIFICATIONS
  • Manufacturer: Adler Werke AG ("Adler")
  • Model: Gabriele 35 (marketed as the Adler "J5" in the United States)
  • Class: Portable
  • Color: Grey and light grey frame with cream keys
  • Serial Number: 4106981
  • Manufacture date: 1968
  • Production location: Frankfurt am Main, West Germany
  • Typeface: Pica (Standard)
  • Keyboard layout: German (QWERTZ)
  • Shift system: Segment shift
  • Ribbon spool type: Group 1 (DIN 2103 and DIN 32755)
  • Weight: 6.25 kg (13.8 lbs) without hard case; 8.13 kg (17.9 lbs) in hard case
  • Dimensions: 35cm  x  35cm  x  15cm   (13.8"  x  13.8"  x  5.9")

Read More
0 Comments

Review: Torpedo 20 / TW (1958)

9/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
High-quality compact portable typewriter with two frustrating faults.
​
VERDICT

A high-quality typewriter with a light touch and segment shift that just falls short of excellence due to its noisy carriage and lack of paper support. Fans of German-made typewriters shouldn't pass on the opportunity to acquire this wonderful machine.

SPECIFICATIONS
  • Manufacturer: Torpedo-Werke AG ("Torpedo")
  • Model: 20 (also marketed as "Torpedo TW" in Germany)
  • Class: Portable
  • Color: Light grey-green body with green and dark grey keys
  • Serial Number: 995518
  • Manufacture date: 1958
  • Production location: Frankfurt am Main, West Germany
  • Typeface: Elite (Standard)
  • Keyboard layout: German (QWERTZ)
  • Shift system: Segment shift
  • Ribbon spool type: Group 1 (DIN 2103 and DIN 32755)
  • Weight: 4.85 kg (10.7 lbs) without hard case; 6.45 kg (14.2 lbs) in hard case
  • Dimensions: 31cm  x  32.5cm  x  13.5cm  (12.2"  x  12.8"  x  5.3")

Read More
0 Comments

Review: Zbrojovka Brno Consul 232 (1965)

6/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Škoda of typewriters.

​VERDICT
A snappy Czechoslovak ultraportable that any writer will enjoy using. Collectors interested in Eastern Bloc-made machines can get their hands on one for relatively cheap if they know where to look.

SPECIFICATIONS
  • Manufacturer: Zbrojovka Brno
  • Model: 232
  • Class: Ultraportable
  • Color: Grey frame and keys with light grey lid
  • Serial Number: 5232362115
  • Manufacture date: 1965
  • Production location: Brno, Czechoslovakia
  • Typeface: Pica (Standard)
  • Keyboard layout: German (QWERTZ)
  • Shift system: Carriage shift
  • Ribbon spool type: Unique metal spool; Group 1 (DIN 2103 and DIN 32755) compatible
  • Weight: 3.65 kg (8 lbs) without faux leather case; 4.95 kg (10.9 lbs) in case
  • Dimensions:  31cm  x  31cm  x  7cm   (12.2"  x  12.2"  x  2.75")

Read More
0 Comments

Review:  Gossen Tippa B / Pilot  (1955)

9/12/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
She's a beauty.

​VERDICT
The Gossen Tippa B is a pretty machine for writers who want something relatively lightweight and robust. It's also a must-have for any collector interested in mid-century ultraportables.

SPECIFICATIONS
  • Manufacturer: P. Gossen & Co GmbH ("Gossen")
  • Model: Tippa B
  • Class: Ultraportable
  • Color: Light grey/brown with brown keys
  • Serial Number: 138543 / 136177
  • Manufacture date: 1955
  • Production location: Erlangen, West Germany
  • Typeface: Elite Congress (#82)
  • Keyboard layout: German (QWERTZ)
  • Shift system: Carriage shift
  • Ribbon spool type: Group 1 (DIN 2103 and DIN 32755)
  • Weight: 3.8 kg (8.4 lbs) without snap-on case; 4.4 kg (9.7 lbs) with case
  • Dimensions:  31cm  x  30cm  x  6cm   (12.2"  x  11.8"  x  2.4")

Read More
0 Comments

    Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021

    Categories

    All
    Adler
    AEG
    American Typewriters
    Consul
    Corona
    Czechoslovak Typewriters
    German Typewriters
    Gossen
    Olympia
    Optima
    Portable Typewriters
    Review
    Torpedo
    Typewriter History
    Typewriter Purchasing
    Typewriters 101
    Ultraportable Typewriters
    Writers And Typewriters
    Zbrojovka

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Blog
  • Typewriters 101
  • Reviews
  • History
    • Adverts
    • Factories
  • Sightings
  • Videos
  • About Me