helpme wrote:

I am not sure how to post a photo, but from your descriptions and google images it seem to be an arrow.  A friend who knows more about typewriters came and had a look at it and thinks it is in  great nick.  It doesn't have Arrow written on it, but not sure if that makes it one of the first ones or not.  

Anyone with any useful advice on royal arrows and any nice quirks to this machine?  What type of ribbon do I need to buy?  Is it just a universal ribbon that does most machines?  It is a joy to type with but as I have little experience with typewriters it might be like any other.    

The first thing you do is go on the typewriter database on line to match the serial number of your typewriter in with the serial numbers there.  If your machine was made early in 1939, there's a chance it was one of the first.  It could also be that the decal has worn off.  The one on my 1949 model has worn nearly off, but enough of it remains that it says it's an Arrow.  In general, except for the lack of a tabulator, the typewriter is manufactured identically to the Quiet Deluxe machines, and is of the same great quality.  The touch is quite light and bouncy.  The ribbon spools should be fairly easy to find if you go looking in antique stores, flea markets, or anywhere they sell secondhand merchandise.  If worse comes to worst, you can use universal spools, but they're real chintzy.  Most typewriters made use this spool--including a majority of foreign (to the U. S.) makes and models of typewriter.  From some toy typewriters to the big Smith-Corona 410s used them.  Some of the later 400s used them too.  If you still have trouble finding spools, let me know and I'll send you a couple.
 

These seem to be the only ribbons I can find in the UK.  Does anyone have experience of these companies or know if they are any good?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/121868883544?lpid=122&chn=ps&adgroupid=33676502101&rlsatarget=pla-271883407675&adtype=pla&poi=&googleloc=9046939&device=c&campaignid=707291931&crdt=0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-ROYAL-QUIET-DELUXE-BLACK-RED-TOP-QUALITY-10M-TYPEWRITER-RIBBON-EYELETS/142056565838?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D38661%26meid%3Dd96e85bddccf406fbb5e2883f3b10c80%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D151946832339

I did find these lovely ribbons on ebay but it looks like they are only in the US unfortunately.   
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-pack-Colored-Royal-Quiet-Deluxe-Portable-Typewriter-Ribbons-in-new-Colors/151946832339?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D38661%26meid%3Dcf6f897c800b4d3c9bb73e92247529b2%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D131879653894

Fleetwing wrote:

You should also contact TypewriterGuy, who's on this forum and located in the UK. He has an online business in typewriter supplies, including spools and ribbons.

I'm sure you're thinking of thetypewriterman. 

helpme, I would send a PM to KatLondon who would definitely know where to get ribbons locally. Other than maybe a slightly higher shipping cost, it shouldn't matter who you order ribbons from if they're on eBay and they have a good feedback score.

Ah, I've just seen this thread. I'm so glad it works really well! And typewriters and kids are a completely WONDERFUL combination. Seven! She should love it. What a wonderful present.