Hey Brian,
I haven't bought a typewriter from Germany, but I've bought numerous books and once a new slide rule from Faber-Castell, and all of those shipments were much later in arriving than I expected. I learned that the problem isn't with the German end of things, or in the carrier. The problem is in the ridiculous pettiness of the United States Customs, driven by our unreasoning fear that every parcel entering this country contains a bomb or other threat to our "national security."  Apparently, everything gets x-rayed, and then examined if they think there's something hidden that the x-ray couldn't image. I bought a Mitropa Guide from the Winter Season of 1938-39, which had all the sleeping car and dining car services for the Reichsbahn back then, and it took forty-six days to land in my mailbox. It was in the U.S. within seven days, and all the rest was taken up with our own bureaucracy . You know, H. L. Mencken said it best...."The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."

Rick

From the Codex Typeospherius, c. 130-140 C.E.
 
And so it came to pass that while Caius Scribulus and Marcus Typus were yet sojourning in Palermo, they came upon a group of people setting forth to stone a woman.

“Stay citizens, for what hath this woman been convicted that she should be stoned?” Asked Caius Scribulus.

And the people cried out, each proclaiming a different crime. “She cuts off the keys from typewriters!” Cried one. “She uses a saw upon them also!” Cried another. “She cares not for the condition of the machine!” Cried yet another. “Nor yet the rarity of the typewriters nor yet the desires of others to buy them!” Cried yet another, weeping and rending her garments in her anguish.

And Caius Scribulus and Marcus Typus marveled at the effrontery of the woman, to perform such crimes , yea even under the shadow of the mountain upon which was built the temple to the gods Hermes, Olympia and Scripto, the patrons and protectors of those who use typewriters and mechanical pencils and fountain pens.

“Surely, this is why we have found no typewriters in the marketplace!” Said Caius Scribulus. And Marcus Typus agreed and asked the woman why she acted thus and performed such vile deeds.
“I am an artist…” She began to say but the crowd drowned out her voice with their threats and accusations yet again.

“You are not an artist! For an artist would never desecrate beautiful mechanical things!” Cried one man. “The jewelry you make from the keys you remove is ugly!” Said one woman, and she did point her finger at the woman and hissed “Craftsperson!”

And the crowd drew back, and gasped, and Marcus Typus whispered to Caius Scribulus "Surely this woman is possessed by a demon if she has become so low as a craftsperson and must be purified in the temple before she is stoned!”

And Caius Scribulus agreed and did persuade the crowd to bring the woman before the altars in the temple. And they all went up, eve

Not many people know this, but before the Second World War Stoewer also made a line of exceptionally well-built automobiles. The factory wasn't very high-volume, and there are not a lot of Stoewers around, but from the photographs posted online, they were really cool looking cars for their day.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reduced-Military-Green-LC-Smith-Corona-Silent-8-11-Typewriter-Army-WW-II-READ-/121666311405?

Oh, you'll LOVE this one!  This dealer apparently thinks the ribbon color indicator is a WWII European occupation medal. Won by the typewriter for valorous service typing requisitions?

"A recent estate sale find. A World War II typewriter. This is the real deal 100% authentic and genuine. It bears a World War II occupation ribbon on the front of the typewriter. I believe this ribbon relates to the US's involvement in Europe and Germany. Genuine World War II memorabilia like this that is authentic is getting harder and harder to find. Just needs cleaned up a bit and likely a new ribbon as the ribbon is original. I have left the typewriter exactly like I found it, the estate had numerous high-quality items. "

Would some member of this group more knowledgeable than I am PLEASE send an eBay message to this person? And post a copy here? I don't know much about eBay but I would think there must be some way of forcing sellers to be honest in listing products. Or is it totally a caveat emptor sort of place?

Youngest brother Willem and I were out hunting typewriters on Saturday and found an R.C.Allen, green-ish in pretty good condition. Model "600" with a serial number dating it to 1953. Needs cleaning, dusting, new ribbon and spools, the usual. I had never heard of R.C.Allen typewriters but apparently they were the successors to the old Woodstock Company. Yes? This machine is very sturdy and heavy.

The dealer won't go lower than $40.00. We begged, we pleaded, we pretended we were impoverished students, we shed tears and rent our garments, but the dealer was adament.

We left a $5.00 deposit and the dealer promised to hold it until this coming Saturday.

What are your thoughts? Worth buying?