Finding a Typewriter's Serial Number
In the past week or so two readers have asked for directions in finding the serial numbers on their typewriters, a later model Imperial Good Companion portable and an L.C.Smith No 8 14-inch carriage standard. By chance, while looking for something else entirely, I came across this page from Wilf Beeching's Century of the Typewriter (1974 edition). It's not a complete guide by any means, but it may help some. For example, later model Imperial portables don't have the serial number where Beeching points to, but underneath the left side ribbon capstan. I hope this helps John, who owns the L.C.Smith seen below. John wrote, "The serial number has eluded me. I have flipped it on all sides, slid the
platen to both the extreme right and left and snooped around with a bright
flashlight - all to no avail." Don't feel alone, John, I am very familiar with that sense of frustration!
Nice serial number map.
ReplyDeleteUseful! I had forgotten all about this diagram in Beeching.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert, that’s a handy guide. And sure enough, I found it. T’were it a snake, it’ve bit me. Now, with serial number in hand (875707) typewriterdatabase.com indicates she was made in early 1929. She has traveled: constructed in Syracuse, NY (I think), I bought her in Merced, CA in the early 1970s and she now resides in Charleston, SC.
ReplyDeleteI really like the 14” carriage, using it to type wide faux-newspapers for the grandkids. What, do you think, was the original purpose of such a wide carriage?
There are all kinds of curious buttons and levers on this machine; enough to keep my 10-year-old grandson and me investigating their functions long enough to keep him off MineCraft for a while.
Now, Robert, please post the owner’s manual? We can find neither the copy/paste nor the delete button.
Hello! I am trying to locate the serial number for my Underwood Standard Portable Typewriter - I can only find a 6 digit number on the left side '475287'. I am trying to find out what year this is from. Any help would be appreciated!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to find serial number on one I recently bought. It is very rusty and obviously old. Only numbers I can find are C 2-88. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSissy: One what?
ReplyDeleteA typewriter. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I needed. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to locate the Serial Number on a 1954 Halberg Traveler, can anyone tell me where it is located??
ReplyDeleteI have an Underwood u18 model that seemed different from the other models of u18. I can only find a 5 digit number carved on the left side, "46604", and was wondering if anyone can help me to indentify if this was its serial, it would ne mucj appreciated. :))
ReplyDeleteI have an Underwood 3 lines portable with cap locks both sides. Last Patent on reverse May 1923. I can find no serial number! On the frame below the P is a red/yellow/green 1" mark but nothing on that. Tried RHS under carriage too. Any bright ideas? Many thanks. Alethea
ReplyDeleteI have a typewriter and the words I can find on it are ' Remington standard typewriter no 11' on the front near the accouting keys and Remington tabulator patented on a badge on the back I dont know where the serial number is located but if anyone could please give my more info about it it would be great
ReplyDeleteHello I am trying to find out some information on an old lc smith- smith corona skyriter typewriter. No serial number anywhere to be found. My father got this from a moving and storage company many years ago when he worked there. He is 96 years old now. Any help would be appreciated thank you.
ReplyDelete