Bremerton Typewriter Company

Underwood #5 from 1929

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This well preserved Underwood #5 desktop typewriter came to us for a tune up after being in storage for a while. It was a joy to work on this machine as almost everything worked very well with a cleaning and re-oiling. Typical with this model, the ribbon feed needed a bit of work before it would run smoothly. Boy is she pretty! … [Read more...]

Mr.Montgomery – Battle of the Bulge – 1944

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Occasionally, I publish some of Mr. Montgomery's musings edited only for grammatical errors. I really appreciate all that our Veterans have done for our Country, so this article is for today’s Veterans Day. Thank you, Mr. Montgomery. Battle of the Bulge - 1944 I wasn’t there - I was back at Headquarters in Versailles doing typewriters as usual. The following stories are second hand from acquaintances that seemed to know something about … [Read more...]

Underwood Champion Portable – 1946

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This Underwood Champion came to us with a broken escapement dog spring preventing the backspace mechanism from working. On desktop models there is usually plenty of room to maneuver to get to the tiny stuff. Not so on this little Champion. To access that pesky thing you have to take the carriage off then remove the back support bracket, all to access the nuts to get to the escapement assembly. To remove the escapement to replace the dog spring … [Read more...]

Mr.Montgomery – Pop’s Store in Seattle

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Occasionally, I publish some of Mr. Montgomery's musings edited only for grammatical errors. This is one. POP’s Store - The Typewriter Shop at 821 Third Ave, Seattle   (Years 1920-30-40) My father was part owner of an office equipment store on Third Avenue in Seattle, Wales Sales & Service Company. They started out with 3 or 4 partners. Mr. Lacey, U.G. Moore, and…..) They incorporated, but by the time I started hanging around the place … [Read more...]

Rust is Bad

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We get many typewriters that have surface rust. This is OK as long as rust or other corrosion has not invaded inner workings. This is an Underwood typewriter that came to us with a lot of rust. When I put it in the queue, I immediately doused it with penetrating oil to give my customer a half chance I could save it. The rusted screw tops and other minor corrosion didn't worry me as an Underwood can stand one heck of a litany of abuse and still … [Read more...]

L.C. Smith Typewriters

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Last week I was inundated with several "modern" typewriters ranging from IBM Selectrics and Wheel Writers to a Swintec 7000. This week it is these two L.C. Smith typewriters. Both are dirt buckets that need copious vacuuming and blowing out of debris. I'm always impressed at how well made and stately these L.C. Smith's are. The one pictured above is an accounting typewriter with a dedicated row of tab stops so when you are updating a … [Read more...]

Smith-Corona Maroon Colored Flat Top

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It's funny when I get a 1930's typewriter just after I've serviced a 1940's version of the same model how similar they feel. This beautiful maroon painted Corona Sterling has that classic style I really love. I have a black one at home that I refurbished and when I've had some family time it will eventually be sold. So many typewriters, such a short life... Well, back to comparing 30 vs. 40. They are essentially the same machine under that … [Read more...]

Oliver Number 11 = Awesome!

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I don't get too many Oliver typewriters in the shop and each is a story. This beautiful black Oliver No. 11 is a family heirloom that had been in storage many years. A greased up dust bunny ready for some typing fun. The Oliver was saddled with a way too long fishing line draw cord tied to the side of the carriage, and as soon as Mr. Montgomery tried to show me (for what seems like the fiftieth time) how easy the carriage is removed from the … [Read more...]

Remington Quiet-Riter, White Sand

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Recently, a customer asked if I'd tune up a typewriter they were getting ready to sell. Of course, I said! We went to the car and when I opened the case I knew this was a nice machine. This Remington Quiet-Riter is in very nice condition, and looks like it was rarely out of the case. All it needed was a bit of degreasing, re-oiling the right places and a few type bar adjustments. There are soooo many French Grey Remington's that it is nice … [Read more...]

Corona 4 Portable from 1924

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This Corona 4 portable came to the shop with a myriad of problems. Multiple type bars were bent, the ribbon feed on the right was not working and bent, paper would not feed and the back spacer was not working. Really, they could not even use the typewriter. I removed the front decorative section that says Corona and discovered the type bar rest was not attached, many loose screws under the carriage, on the sides of the frame, and get this... … [Read more...]