John E. Simmons.com » underwood

Underwood Five Desktop – 9851582 (1966)

John — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:13:25 +0000

This machine began my typewriter collection – although I didn’t know it would become a collection at the time. I owned a Kaypro IV computer in the mid-80s that had the annoying habit of cold booting without warning every few minutes. Combine that with the finicky printers of the time, and it became obvious that typing simple bills and envelopes could best be done on a typewriter. I bought this one at a thrift store.

Serial number is 9851582 makes it a 1966 model. It has a 13″ carriage and elite type.

Underwood 5

Underwood Noiseless 77 – 1608039 (post war)

John — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:28:45 +0000

This is the post-war version of the Noiseless made by Remington for Underwood. It’s the same as a Remington Model Seven.

This one is serial number 1608039, but serial numbers on these Underwoods are useless for dating.

Underwood Noiseless 77

Underwood Noiseless 77 – 621423 (1933)

John — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:11:14 +0000

My Underwood Noiseless 77 is serial number 621423 and is from 1933 – only two years after Remington began to make them for Underwood.

When I found this typewriter, it had obviously been in a wet place – a basement perhaps? The leatherette on the case is pulling away in many places. The typewriter itself had numerous small rust spots underneath. Thankfully I found it before the rusting had done real damage.

The primary problem was the drawstring (the string that pulls the carriage along as you type) had broken. It’s always a problem to find a suitable material. Some folks have used the cords from mini-blinds, some use nylon cord, and some have even suggested using gut violin strings. On this machine I’ve tried a non-stretch fishing line. Only use will determine if it holds to it’s non-stretch claim.