Thanks! Its certainly not rare or anything, but different enough to add it to my small collection. I still enjoy cleaning and debugging issues/repairing, so its all good. Worse case scenario, its something I can trade/donate at a future type-in.
Yeah, after scanning the page, the dirty typeslugs were quite noticeable. I'm happy to report, I cleaned them beside breakfast this morning, so future typecasts on the Singer should be crisp. And boy were they dirty! I think that is the first typer I've found that required a good typeslug cleaning.
My best guess, considering its heritage (Dart is a close relative to the Royalite) and referencing the serial number database, would be 1966. My serial number it T4 6667264. The T4 is obviously the model number, so that serial seems to line up with other models made during 1965-66.
Dan, That is indeed a Royalite knockoff. It even has the Royals shoehorn-shaped carriage lever and key tops. Looks like Singer simply added the hump on top of the ribbon cover.
The "hump" actually is the ribbon cover and that whole piece pulls right off. I've seen several pictures of Royal Darts and it looks similar (it has the hump, too) to this Singer.
The Royal Darts, that I've seen pictured, all have a black crinkle paint finish, while the Singer is flat, glossy grey.
Yeah, its pretty mint. I did clean it up, but the surface was good, with most of my efforts cleaning up debris inside, blowing some air throughout and the like.
The ONLY issue I've found so far, as I was writing a letter with it last night, was the right-side ribbon advance ratchet is not advancing the ribbon. All pieces appear to be intact and its moving as it should, even advancing properly when there is no load on it, but once I put the ribbon spool on, the advancing is inconsistent at best.
I am thinking that replacing a spring would resolve the issue, but I don't plan on fixing that at this time. I'll see if it works itself out with use and if not, then its easy enough to lift the ribbon cover and manually rewind the ribbon back to the side that works.
I get about a full page, single-spaced, per complete advance.
I like it. Never tried one of the Royal Dart style machines. You see them come up pretty frequently (though, almost never under the Singer name). One of these days...
Congratulations! Nice little find.
ReplyDeleteLooks like someone has some typeslugs that need cleaning, though. ;)
Thanks! Its certainly not rare or anything, but different enough to add it to my small collection. I still enjoy cleaning and debugging issues/repairing, so its all good. Worse case scenario, its something I can trade/donate at a future type-in.
ReplyDeleteYeah, after scanning the page, the dirty typeslugs were quite noticeable. I'm happy to report, I cleaned them beside breakfast this morning, so future typecasts on the Singer should be crisp. And boy were they dirty! I think that is the first typer I've found that required a good typeslug cleaning.
Excellent "new" find! When do you think this Singer was made?
ReplyDeleteMy best guess, considering its heritage (Dart is a close relative to the Royalite) and referencing the serial number database, would be 1966. My serial number it T4 6667264. The T4 is obviously the model number, so that serial seems to line up with other models made during 1965-66.
ReplyDeleteCute! Nice batch of goodies too. (:
ReplyDeleteNice machine. I didn't know that after the war there were still typewriters made in Holland.
ReplyDeleteDan,
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed a Royalite knockoff. It even has the Royals shoehorn-shaped carriage lever and key tops. Looks like Singer simply added the hump on top of the ribbon cover.
Mike
Good score, it has a nice design! Excellent trove of goodies too.
ReplyDeleteThe "hump" actually is the ribbon cover and that whole piece pulls right off. I've seen several pictures of Royal Darts and it looks similar (it has the hump, too) to this Singer.
ReplyDeleteThe Royal Darts, that I've seen pictured, all have a black crinkle paint finish, while the Singer is flat, glossy grey.
Nice machine! Looks to be in great condition too.
ReplyDeleteYeah, its pretty mint. I did clean it up, but the surface was good, with most of my efforts cleaning up debris inside, blowing some air throughout and the like.
ReplyDeleteThe ONLY issue I've found so far, as I was writing a letter with it last night, was the right-side ribbon advance ratchet is not advancing the ribbon. All pieces appear to be intact and its moving as it should, even advancing properly when there is no load on it, but once I put the ribbon spool on, the advancing is inconsistent at best.
I am thinking that replacing a spring would resolve the issue, but I don't plan on fixing that at this time. I'll see if it works itself out with use and if not, then its easy enough to lift the ribbon cover and manually rewind the ribbon back to the side that works.
I get about a full page, single-spaced, per complete advance.
I like it. Never tried one of the Royal Dart style machines. You see them come up pretty frequently (though, almost never under the Singer name). One of these days...
ReplyDeleteCould you post scans of your owners manual? I have an identical typewriter--it is from 1966.
ReplyDelete