It's not a hard, fast rule, more of a corollary, in that if a portable typewriter has a numeral 1 key it *may* be a cursive, script, or italic font. Other than that, I'm not sure. 
A square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not necessarily a square.
Phil Forrest

Thanks Pete and Phil. I posted it in the wrong thread but what I'd like to guess at is font size/spacing more than font style. I don't think I could tell that from an above photo, and you can't really see the star wheel from below on a QDL.

Pete E. wrote:

Overwood,

I will ask a seller to send me a photo from a top view with the ribbon cover off...letting them know I would like to see the condition of some of the mechanicals.  Do they same by asking for a bottom-up view of the machine as well.

I do not tip my hand to inform them I am trying to see the type-slug style. 

No point in letting them know I am hunting a valued font-style if not necessary.

I'd say that you could probably discern pitch between machines from a good view of the typeslugs at rest. I know I can tell the difference between pic and elite on a Super 5 series Smith Corona, as the capital letter A, among others (W, T, F, H, K, Z, X, V, N, M) is noticeably larger, as the base of the letter is spread fully across the typeslug on a pica machine, and looks visibly smaller on an elite. I think pretty much the same goes for most makes.
Phil Forrest

I will have to test these methods out. Thanks