Typewriter Talk / Aztec 600, my new "coffee" machine

**Posted by mikeytap** 14-6-2025 17:59:51

Same machine as Rheinmetall KsT, rebranded for USA market. It's a doozy. I have a blue one but this was in immaculate condition and priced fair, so . . . . It's a good typer.

**Posted by Pete E.** 14-6-2025 19:12:01

Congratulations Mike ! What a beauty !!!

I chased one 3-4 years ago but the seller in the USA would not budge from his $ 600 asking price.
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**Posted by mikeytap** 14-6-2025 19:41:51

Pete E. wrote:
Congratulations Mike ! What a beauty !!!

I chased one 3-4 years ago but the seller in the USA would not budge from his $ 600 asking price.
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Yes, this was nothing near that price-wise. The case is also super clean.

And Isn't it crazy that the early Hermes 3000 are going for such high prices lately? They pop up so regularly that they must not be all that rare. It's a missing piece in my collection but it will have to be a lucky thrift store find.
Thanks for the feedback Pete.

**Posted by Pete E.** 15-6-2025 11:21:37

Although these machines have... 1) Carriage lift off with only 2 levers, and 2) Any type-bar can easily be removed/returned.

The User Manual indicates to not use these features unless there is a firm reason to do so.

I decided to pretend my machine does not have these features and have not missed doing so...even with my cleaning and servicing regimen.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 05-2-2026 15:52:54

More photos of Mike's lovely machine over on the TWDB galleries :
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https://typewriterdatabase.com/1960-aztec-rheinmetall-600.25751.typewriter

**Posted by mikeytap** 07-2-2026 09:35:21

Pete E. wrote:
Although these machines have... 1) Carriage lift off with only 2 levers, and 2) Any type-bar can easily be removed/returned.

Since the type bars are easy to remove, I wonder if this means it would be possible to swap the
Z and the Y on German keyboard machines? Are type bars sized and angled differently depending on where they sit?

**Posted by Pete E.** 07-2-2026 11:48:37

Hi Mike,

Don't think that would work. The "Z" type-lever has a pretty strong dog-leg bend to it where the type-slug is soldered in place. The "Y" has a straight type-lever with no bend to it at all where its type-slug solders on.

Haven't measured but there might be a bit of a length difference between the two type-levers as well...with the ""Z" being a tad longer (???).
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**Posted by mikeytap** 07-2-2026 12:25:39

Understood, you're right. Wishful thinking on my part.