A Canberra antiques dealer dropped off this Remington last week, asking me to have a look at it and advise him on any work that needs to be done on it. I don't think I'll be doing anything other than clean it up a bit. After all, it's 125 years old and not just in remarkably good condition for that age, but typing very nicely. Mind you, while typing with it I was reminded of just how slow and difficult it is to use these very early "blind" Remingtons. This one has the serial number 22,903 and, judging by Ted Munk's Database, it was made in 1896. 
Above, a sample of my typing "blind" on the visiting machine. It is actually typing a lot better than my Model 2, which I've neglected for many years now. But the decals and pinstripes, as well as the bodywork in general, are in much better shape on my Model 2 than on the visitor.
5 comments:
I think a distinctive mark of the model 2 is the big wheel in front of the carriage and the pointer coming down from it onto the scale that is over the keyboard. (Usually there are also stenciled instructions on oiling and cleaning the machine on the paper table.)
I believe the machine that has been entrusted to your care is a later model, maybe a 6 or 7. I think those are the most common Remington blind writers.
With 38 keys, this has to be a no. 6. Alan Seaver has a useful rundown here.
Thank you so much, Richard. Yes, a 6. I should have had a look at Alan's rundown. I don't think I've dealt with anything between a 2 and a 7 before, so all new to me.
Looking at serial numbers on Ted Munk's Database, it appears it is an 1896 machine.
When counting keys, are you including the shift keys?
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