Hi Uwe

The only part you are missing is the most common part to fall off these units, and yes it's the decorative bezel with the word 'SKYRITER' that attaches to the front of the paper support with bent metal tabs. This bezel is only very thin so the tabs come unbent quite easily and the bezel falls off. What's the serial number of your Skyriter? The one I have out at the moment is 2Y-14843 which puts it as being a 1951. All the best,

Sky

Hi Uwe

The two square holes in the lower housing are a genetic throw back to when the Skyriter was fitted with a metal case or hard shell. The shell had two corresponding pins that locked into these holes and the spring clips latched onto the front of the housing either side of the space bar. From what I've found out so far, this is a rough genealogy of the Skyriter.

Series 1Y- The Zephyr; round keys, individual ribbon covers, short carriage, return lever and hard shell.

Series 2Y- The Skyriter, injection molded keys, one piece ribbon cover, short carriage return lever and hard shell.

Series 3Y- Same as 2Y- except for soft shell or zippered carry case which was usually tan

Series 4Y- Built in England after Smith-Corona had bought and retooled the British Typewriters factory and became SCM. Identifying features are the long carriage return lever and a firm zippered black carry case.

Series 5Y- and 6Y- were the SCM Smith-Corona Corsair, Cougar, Calypso etc. The light weight plastic bodied units with the same basic internal mechanism.

As I say, this is how I understand the progression of the Skyriter series. I'm always open to learn new facts about this model. All the best,

Sky

Hi Uwe

Those are the parking spots for the paper support. Notice how the arms of the paper support each have a small tang on the underside, these tangs locate into the holes circled in red. This stops the paper support arms from moving around when the unit is not in use. The hole circled in yellow is an access hole for a screw driver when removing or installing the screws that hold the margin rail and rear carriage cover in place. All the best,

Sky

TJH wrote:

Not sure of the best protocol as this question is also referring to parts for a Skyriter... if I need to start a new topic, please let me know:

I am looking to purchase a Skyriter at a local antique shop. It's a very clean looking machine and for the most part the typewriter and case are in like new condition. However, the carriage return lever, a small spring, and a broken screw are in the case pocket (along with the manual). They are asking $35 for the typewriter.

I'm new to the manual typewriter world (after learning on one about 35 years ago.) So my questions are:
1) Will this be an easy fix?
2) Are the screws to attach the lever easy to come by?
3) Does this appear to be a good deal I should take?

Thanks for any advice!

(I can send a couple pictures later if needed... the forum won't let me yet because I'm still new.)

Let's take these individually:  1.  This is relative to the complexity of the problem, the completeness of the parts, and the repairer's mechanical abilities; 2.  Screws should be fairly easy to come by, especially if you know where a hardware store that sells very small bolts (you'd be surprised as to what they're selling these days), or if you have a scrap pile like I got.  Plenty of parts machines, you've already got something that might work.  Also, it's great to have an old coffeecan to stuff extra nuts, bolts, and whatevers into so you can occasionally rummage around in there to find something that will work, or will work until the real thing comes along; 3.  $35 is not bad for a typewriter these days, providing you're either going to fix it up, or you're using it for spare parts for another machine.  Examine carefully this problem you've seen--look at what it might take to reattach the lever and run through your own mind to see if you can work out a plan to put it all together.  Also, look for other issues the machine might have.  Treat the purchase as though you were buying a used car, since, essentially, you are buying something that is, to say the very least of it, used.  If you've decided you want to buy the machine and still have trouble, let me know, and I'll run through my Skyriters to see exactly how the carriage lever is attached, and I can guide you through it.  Let me know something.
 

Maybe now it will let me post links to pictures...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/72225509@N00/31054790800/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/72225509@N00/31054791870/in/dateposted-public/