As far as I know the SM7 has basically the same design as the SM3 et cetera. In theory the typing action of the SM3 and SM7 should be comparable. However, we are talking about second hand, used machines with unique histories, so the typing action of these machines may vary a lot. In my experience no typewriter is the same, even the same models from the same year may have a very different typing action. 

skywatcher wrote:

The most common typewriter pitch in Europe I believe is 2.3 mm per character. This pitch is often referred to as European Elite and comes close to 11 cpi (clarification or correction requested).

Sky, I do not know if 11 cpi is the most common typewriter pitch in Europe. I do know that it is one of the most common pitches in the Netherlands, evenly split with 10 and 12 cpi.

In general, most European typewriter brands offered Pica and the 11 and/or 12 cpi Elite. Olympia offered the 10 and 11 cpi as their standard typefaces. Triumph/Adler did the same, but somewhere around the 60s they offered all three pitches: 10 and 12 cpi for the portables and 11 cpi for the ultra-portables. Olivetti offered 10 and 12 cpi.

Note that the above information is based on my observations and only reflect the general trend, not taking into account all brands and time periods. 

Here are some examples of European type sizes for reference:

ERIKA 

Perl (2.25 mm) 
Pica (2.6 mm)

Siegfried Junge et al, Entwicklung und Produktion von Erzeugnissen der Schreibtechnik im Kombinat Robotron (2008), p13
http://erika-electronic.de/bilder/robotronStk.pdf 

OLYMPIA 

Perl (2.3 mm)
Pica (2.6 mm) 

Olympia Schriften, Olympia Werke AG (1969), p2 
https://www.laurenzvangaalen.nl/olympia-traveller/downloads/olympia-typeface-leaflet-de.pdf  

"Only German?" Don't let Erika, Monica and Gabriele hear that!

Yes, the margins are odd and I really needed some time to get accustomed to the system. But because I am not freaquently changing my margins it's not a big issue.

I am confident the Swissa will do great, in my experience it's an excellent small portable. Compared to the Brosette the Swissa is a luxurious machine. 

 

Here are a few more pictures to illustrate my first post.


The shift lock key. It looks a bit smaller than the rest of the keys on this picture, but it is exactly the same.



The paper release is operated by the wire frame paper support. The paper release can be activated by pressing down the paper support.


The Brosette has a slightly larger footprint than the Baby/Rocket.


The machine weighs 4.1 kg/9 lbs and feels slightly more rugged than the Olympia SF.