Why not buy it, and then take it apart and sell the other parts. Sell the mainspring, ribbon advancement mechanism, carriage all separately. You could make a quick buck on the side...

In that case, just be patient and what for another machine to use for parts. There is not currently a huge demand for vintage typewriter parts, so there are not a lot of individual parts available on the market. This is largely due to the fact, just as you stated, that an entire typewriter can generally be purchased for what it would cost to get a replacement part.

TypewriterGuy wrote:

This is just ridiculous. Already three sellers have not even considered taking off at the very least one typeface from their typewriter. One of them is frozen from rust, andthe paints gone from rust! EBay sellers are the worst. I wish they all would describe why they cant do any of this... Im not going to pay $100 for a junky machine, when I only need one part.. Any tips? I really need two typefaces, and line spacer for my smith premier, and the return lever...

What is this "typeface" that you are talking about? In my understanding, a typeface is a design, not a physical part that can be handled, so what do you mean?

Secondly, calm down. It's no use getting upset by other people's decisions about how to spend their time. They don't owe you any favors nor explanations and they are perfectly within their rights to set their own prices on stuff they have. Relax and keep looking. You're among friends here and someone will come through for you eventually.

HTH

Wouldn't you be better off buying a complete working example of the typewriter and selling the one you have? I don't think you appreciate what's involved in properly installing those missing slugs even if you were to find them.