LD,  that is a great machine is such NICE shape !  Really one of those time-capsule machines we all hope to find.

lazydog wrote:

... It was owned by a little old lady who only typed church programs on it once a week (I don't know, that's my story). ...

It's possible the exact opposite is true, and that it was a heavily used office machine because your KMG looks like it might have been factory refurbished. The replacement keytops are interesting (perhaps from an HH?). It's also interesting that they didn't replace the original tab setting keytops and the spacebar.

I also really enjoy using the KMG, but then again most standards are a treat to type with. I actually bought mine from a little old lady who was a university professor, but the typewriter had belonged to her father and was used in his office. It was in dismal condition when I got it and had a large mouse nest in the segment, but it types wonderfully now and I like looking at its decades of aesthetic wear.

 

your KMG looks like it might have been factory refurbished. The replacement keytops are interesting (perhaps from an HH?). It's also interesting that they didn't replace the original tab setting keytops and the spacebar.

Uwe, I think I got the idea that such refurbishes weren't unusual from this [url=http://The replacement keytops are interesting (perhaps from an HH?). It's also interesting that they didn't replace the original tab setting keytops and the spacebar.]Machines of Loving Grace[/url] Royal KMM ("Although dating from 1939, this KMM was probably rebuilt sometime in the 1950s. The original round, glass-topped keys have been replaced with plastic keys, a common practice back then. Notice, though, that the tab set and clear buttons are still the old style.") Same failure to replace the space bar...so probably an HH key set was typically inserted as part of a refurb? But again, mine is 1951 looks like. Seems like it would not have been that old to merit a refurb. Maybe just styles change and folks wanted a newer (plastic) look. Though the market in rebuilt typewriters is fascinating. I thought it was more a 30s thing -- the serious aftermarket. Read a whole thing on the Oz site about it I think.

I agree with MoLG that the plastic keys are much more comfortable than glass top, round or tombstone. I have another KMG that is tombstone and the action is also really light -- but the glass tombstone keys make it feel heavier, best I can tell!

So yeah, probably a refurb -- that paint is almost new still!

Mikeytap...

Congratulations on another Facit ! 

Is your colour beige or Viking grey ?

 

But again, not the space bar -- so odd the choices people made! THanks!