Thanks

I just picked up this Underwood. I think its a number 5 or 6, but I'm looking for confirmation. As best as I can make out the serial number 686970911. Photo follows. Thanks in advance
Ira
https://www.evernote.com/l/ABPmnd9G_ItB4LvX2IW-IUgV0zMC559qqvU
 

Uwe wrote:

I would think that Messa (Lisbon) is the most well-known Portuguese typewriter manufacturer. If I remember my history correctly, the Messa factory was actually the result of a German typewriter manufacturer (Siemag) relocating its facilities to Portugal. I don't know if it was sold to a Portuguese firm, or if control was retained by the German company, because I honestly haven't had much interest in that particular vein of typewriter history.

​In either case, Messa became a private label manufacturer and produced typewriters for Litton (Royal and Imperial). I have read that its products were also sold under the Sterling brand name in Great Britain, and that Messa - among others - also produced a Patria model under licence.

​I'm fairly certain that the Sears Chevron is some form of a private label, re-badged model. In other words it was a Royal (a Safari, maybe?) that was re-branded as a Sears typewriter, and yes, that means it was also most likely manufactured by Messa. And - I could be wrong here - the Royal itself was originally a German-designed machine, I seem to recall having read it was an ABC model. I despise the original ABC designs, but I would hope that if all of this is true, the version that was produced for Royal and Sears by Messa was a more reliable typewriter.

Thank you for this information. It took me awhile until I got back to it.

I've acquired my second typewriter just a month after being given my first as a gift (a Royal
Epoch, which by the way is working wonderfully despite the negative reviews I've read.) This one is more vintage: A Sears Chevron from the '70's, I believe. Working perfectly for $25 off ebay.


 

Hi all
Thanks for this great forum. I just bought my first typewriter (at least in 60 years), a new Royal Epoch. It works very nicely so far, though I know it isn't high on everyone's list. For the past five years I've been deep into the world of fountain pens. While I am still mainly a fountain pen geek, I'm loving typing too. I'd love to gather some vintage machines, budget and space are big issues. In any case, I am a retired clergy and author of a few books in my field and I'm glad to be here.
Ira