Typewriter Talk / Underwood No.3

**Posted by TBarnatt** 27-5-2024 09:28:56

Hello, It's been 9yrs. since I was on this sight! Time flies. About 10 yrs. ago I restored quite a few manual typewriters, mostly portables that we then sold. I don't do it anymore but when we found an old Underwood in really decent condition and only owning a 1954 Hermes 2000, we decided we needed this one. It's a No. 3, 11" Serial number is 3742229-11. It's in really nice condition and really only needed to be cleaned and some minor adjustments and it needs the screw that holds the carriage return arm in it's hole, it works but is a bit sloppy. From the serial no. I believe it's from 1930-1. My question for anyone here is about the front panel. I've been searching images online and have not found one with the panel like ours. It has no name on it and the center part is that rough, textured finish, don't remember what it's called. I've seen others similar but the textured part is recessed, like a panel, ours is all flat. The color choice lever is not see-saw and it's up on the top. Just wondering if anyone has knowledge of this feature. Most I've seen have some type of gold pinstripe and the Underwood name on them. Thanks for the help

**Posted by SoucekFan** 27-5-2024 13:41:29

The ribbon selector was moved from the front to the top of the panel on Underwood Standards around 1930. As far as the style of the front panel, many Underwood standards have been refurbished at some point in the past and can have different paint jobs and/or decals that differ from the factory original style, and you will find a large amount of variation.

**Posted by TBarnatt** 27-5-2024 13:51:30

Thank you SoucekFan,
So the No.3's I'm seeing online with gold pin striping etc, and the Underwood name are more than likely original? I wonder how hard it is to find an original to replace this one?

**Posted by SoucekFan** 27-5-2024 17:46:40

If you really wanted the look of the factory original style front plate paint and decal style, you could swap one from a parts machine, but I would keep in mind, that the current style of your front plate is a part of your machines history. So many Underwood standards have had parts repainted, key legends changed, various decals redone--they often have some parts that are differ from the factory style. It will also depend on what it looks like, but it may be better to appreciate it the way it is.

**Posted by TBarnatt** 28-5-2024 05:55:11

Yes SoucekFan I agree. It is part of it's history and we will leave it that way. Although I do wish it was all original! I was just wondering if Underwood made some changes for the No.3 at some point to upgrade it's look. Makes sense it was a later change by an owner, maybe the original got messed up somehow. Thanks for your input.

**Posted by SoucekFan** 28-5-2024 11:23:52

The panel repaint could have been a part of servicing, or it could have been done by a dealer during refurbishment for resale, it would be impossible to know; but it was pretty routine to repaint and/or reapply decals way back when. As far as design changes, the moving of the location of the color selector was the only real significant change that I know of just prior to your model year. Your model is just before the next major change which would be the introduction of the No. 6 in the middle of 1931.

**Posted by TBarnatt** 28-5-2024 17:24:41

Here is a picture of our No.3 with the different front panel, I hope I attached it correctly! I used the flash so the textured finish shows better. Thanks for all you're information.

**Posted by colrehogan** 29-5-2024 22:47:49

Can't see the image.

**Posted by TBarnatt** 30-5-2024 05:24:04

Did you try right click and choose "open image in new tab?" If that doesn't work I don't know how else to post an image. Any help would be appreciated!