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 nice sheet metal cover. I had this typewriter next to a “racing stripe” version and noted that other than tab rack changes, they could easily be swapped between the chasis’s. I like how these portables type, a very nice key action and it is no wonder that Smith-Corona was the last production machine before word processors took over.
Even the “modern” Smith-Corona’s from the 1970’s had good hand feel. I sell a lot of them, unattractive as they are.