Typewriter Talk / 16mm ribbon for old Continental Standardtypewriter?

**Posted by Scrooge** 17-9-2018 19:14:20

Hello!

I`m new here and just bought my first Typewriter. It`s a Standard Continental Typewriter by Wanderer-Werke A.G. Chemnitz. Unfortunately, there`s no ribbon installed and I did some research and somewhere I read, that I need a ribbon made from silk because of the metal types. Now I searched the internet for a 16mm silk ribbon but didn`t find anything. I found many nylon ribbons, one with 16mm, too. Now I`m questioning, if I have to buy silk or if nylon is ok and - if I need a ribbon from silk - where to find some with 16mm whic is not too expensive?
Is there somebody who can help me?

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Scrooge

(P.S.: Please, excuse my bad english,)

**Posted by Uwe** 17-9-2018 20:12:11

Where did you read that you had to use silk ribbons? I've never heard of that, and don't see why the ribbon material would make a difference. Continental machines use the same type slugs as other manufacturers, and I'm pretty sure that I don't have a silk ribbon in any of my Continental models. The only thing you should avoid is using ink meant for rubber stamps, but that's only a concern if you're re-inking an existing ribbon.

There are sellers on eBay who offer 16 mm ribbon, and other than them I can't point you to a better source. If you do find an inexpensive supplier, please let me know because I need to reorder 16 mm and 10 mm ribbon too.

For reference, here's the ribbon requirements for Continental machines:
1904 – 1907 = 10 mm
1907 – 1908 = 11 mm
1909 – 1918 = 13 mm
1918 – 1935 = 16 mm
1935 on = 13 mm

**Posted by SoucekFan** 17-9-2018 20:49:11

Uwe wrote:
For reference, here's the ribbon requirements for Continental machines:
1904 – 1907 = 10 mm
1907 – 1908 = 11 mm
1909 – 1918 = 13 mm
1918 – 1935 = 16 mm
1935 on = 13 mm

Are those requirements just for the standards, or do they apply to the portables, as well?

**Posted by thetypewriterman** 18-9-2018 05:37:58

You can get 16mm ribbon here : http://www.thetypewriterman.co.uk/supplies.html It is the same as 5/8" ! (A bit of self-advertising, sorry )

**Posted by Scrooge** 18-9-2018 08:12:31

Thank you all for your answers!
They're really helpful!
I don't know any more where I read about the silk ribbon but it sounded possible to me as somebody without any knowledge about typewriters.
So I'm happy I don't need silk and it's very interesting to read bit by bit more about the typewriter I bought, thanks for that!

**Posted by Uwe** 19-9-2018 11:32:09

SoucekFan wrote:
Are those requirements just for the standards, or do they apply to the portables, as well?

Standards. Forgot the OP wasn't in the Standards sub-forum. Portables only began being made from '29 onward, most after '35, but I'm pretty sure they were all 13 mm.

**Posted by Uwe** 19-9-2018 11:33:14

thetypewriterman wrote:
You can get 16mm ribbon here...

Do you have 10 mm too, Tom?

**Posted by thetypewriterman** 19-9-2018 16:40:12

I have 7/16" All-Black Nylon ribbon, which is approximately 11mm. Would that do ?

**Posted by Uwe** 20-9-2018 08:46:57

I'll have to measure the spools and vibrator to see if the extra 1.1125 mm would cause an issue. Thanks.