Hi all,

I found an early Erika 5 in a second hand store in the Netherlands. The serial number dates it back to 1930, and it's in a overal good condition. It is the model without a carriage return lever. Instead, it has a small 'pinch lever' that is used to advance the platen to the next line. There is also a knob that allows to set a line spacing of 1, 2 or 3 lines.

I noticed that when the line spacing is changed from 1 line to 3 lines, the pinch lever 'falls' back to a position that is too horizontal (see images). This causes the lever to eventually clash with the left ink ribbon guiding 'roll'. The lever can be easily pushed back to the more upright position, but it seems strange that one would have to remember that every time. This made me wonder if the lever on my machine perhaps is missing some kind of small spring that would keep it pressed against the dented wheel of the platen. Is there anyone on this forum with this same model (or an early Naumann Bijou, which I think are the same build) who could confirm this?

Thanks!
Raoul

image 1: lever in green circle - position too horizontal / too low
image 2: clash with ribbon guide
image 3: lever pushed back manually where it should be (when line spacing is set to 3)