Typewriter Talk / Hello…

**Posted by Popcorn will** 01-1-2026 08:40:09

Hi everyone and a big thanks for allowing me to come on board and ask a few questions, I really appreciate your time!

I’ve spent many hours searching for information on my typewriter and so far no success. It’s like new condition and very easy to use, but I’m struggling with a few things. I understand that it’s not an expensive model and online information might well not be there, so I’m hoping maybe someone has come across one or something similar.

Olympia 1000
Made in Italy
I have a feeling it’s not really an Olympia, but just branding. It looks identical to a made in Italy Rover 1000! Oh, it’s bright orange. The picture is not my personal machine, just something I found online. My is identical in all ways apart from the name.

There is no right hand margin setter? And I can’t work out if it’s an automatic ribbon, basically I haven’t a clue what to do here. I’ve just ordered new ribbons as the one I have on the machine is a little dry…

**Posted by Pete E.** 01-1-2026 16:48:42

This link might have some useful info.

Looks like it is a China-made piece of low quality crapola...

They are known for using brands without permissions and will put "Made in Italy" fraudulently on their machines.

https://boffosocko.com/tag/rover-typewriter/

**Posted by Pete E.** 01-1-2026 16:49:36

More info. here :

https://typewriters.co.uk/rover/

**Posted by Pete E.** 01-1-2026 16:53:19

Another article :

https://boffosocko.com/2025/06/09/the-typewriter-you-probably-dont-want-to-buy/

**Posted by Popcorn will** 04-1-2026 09:02:48

Thanks Pete! Oh well, such is life I guess. I have to say, the typewriter types really well and feels substantial, so not all is lost :-D

Do you know what would be considered the norm using a machine with a right hand margin?
And, if it hasn’t got an automatic ribbon reverse, does that just mean swapping the reels over when it comes to the end? Thanks again….

**Posted by Popcorn will** 04-1-2026 09:10:07

Oh, here is my machine.

**Posted by Popcorn will** 04-1-2026 09:11:35

I’ll try again :-D

**Posted by Popcorn will** 04-1-2026 09:12:54

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/146702512800?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=1G1Wyh5ZSdq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=vdd3cedbq_k&stype=1&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

**Posted by Popcorn will** 04-1-2026 09:14:13

I’ll keep it, but buy a better machine. It would till be nice to know how certain things are supposed to operate…

**Posted by skywatcher** 04-1-2026 12:49:50

Hi PW

Looking at both the picture of the Rover 1000 and the Olympia 1000, it appears that neither have a right-hand margin, it's up to the typist to keep an eye on how far across the line of type has gone before returning the carriage. If the unit has no right margin, I'm assuming it doesn't have a line-end warning bell either. A true touch-typist never looks at the keyboard, his or her eyes are always on the page.

One quick question: Looking at the pictures, it appears that both units have metal soldered-on type slugs (the letters that actually hit the ribbon). Can you please confirm my observation? The We-R-Memory Keepers typewriters have push-on plastic type slugs which I imagine would not have a very long lifespan if used regularly. All the best,

Sky