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Hi,
I got an old Kappel typewriter, which has a symbol, which I don't know what it means. It is a equation sign with a circle above it. The following picture is how the typewriter print it. I placed the X, o and = as reference.
Does anyone know what this symbol means?
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It's a math symbol (algebra I think) that means "ring equals".
Which model Kappel do you have that has this key? Kappel didn't make an early typewriter and I'd like to move this thread to the appropriate sub-forum. Thanks.
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Thanks!
I don't know which model it is, also I did not found any serial number. The only mark I found is a orange label on the back which says "Größe 12".
[url]Picture of the front[/url] [url]Picture of the back[/url]
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The links you posted don't work, but it should be easy to identify the model from a photo.
If you have a portable Kappel, the serial number should be in two locations: under the very right feed roller on the carriage rail, and underneath the machine on the case at the very back.
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It is definitely not a portable one. I hope the pictures survive this try:
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You have a Kappel Model 2, and based on the badging I would guess it was made between 1928 and 1936. The serial number is located in one of three locations (or all three?): 1. On the keybar tooth (Tasthebelführungskamm); 2. On the front carriage rail on the right side of the machine; 3. Under the carriage on the frame on the right side of the machine. The serial number would give you a more exact year of manufacture should you find it.
Does your machine type normally? I thought the earlier Kappel standards (Model 1, 2, and 75a) all used 15 mm ribbon and it looks like you have 13 mm ribbon installed in it. I have a Continental that needs 16 mm ribbon and it does not work with the regular 13 mm ribbon in it.
The Größe 12 sticker on the back is interesting. It should refer to the carriage size for the machine, but from what I've read the sizes only ranged from I to V (1 to 5). Maybe you could measure the width of the carriage and of the platen and let me know what they are?
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Nice, now I found them on the front and the carriage. They start with 86, so according to the list at [1] it should be from 1932 or 1933.
The size of the platen is 25cm [2], the carriage is almost 30cm [3].
I got the machine to write with the 13mm ribbon by cheating[4]. After I inserted the ribbon, the blue color mode made the top of the letters got cut off and in red mode they were half red and half blue. So I placed some insulated wire to add some space. Now the machine writes nice [5] [6], but I will replace the ribbon by a complete black one soon.
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
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[1] If the number is in the 86-thousands then it's from 1933.
[2] A platen (Walzen) length of 25 cm (40 mm diameter) was the smallest Kappel made and is supposed to be Größe I, so the Größe 12 sticker is a mystery to me. I wonder if the carriage was changed at some point?
[4] I had reached the same conclusion as you, which was to modify the vibrator to use 13 mm ribbon, but I couldn't think of something that would be well suited to reducing the opening. It's interesting that your wire did the trick, but I was hoping to do something a little more inconspicuous - and perhaps more elegant. However, good job in getting it to type out a nice type sample!
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The carriage has the same serial number as the main machine, so I think that it is the original one.
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Yes, I would agree with you.