I just acquired my first Oliver No. 5. Very cool.
I will freely admit to not knowing much about these machines. I also broke the cardinal rule in buying
this typewriter: Know what you are buying!
The carriage did not move upon testing but I hoped that was
a relatively minor issue…. Other than
encrusted in dirt and grime, it looked like it was in very good shape
overall. Everything else seemed to
function on the Oliver even if it was molasses slow. Took the plunge and I am now looking forward to the clean-up.
Things have started off well.
Downloaded instructions for the machine and quickly was able to remove
the carriage. Discovered that the hook
which catches the return string was stuck down in the machine instead of hooked
onto the correct spot so that the carriage could catch upon install. Moved the hook to the right spot, put back on
the carriage and it functioned as designed!
Other then that I have only studied the
Oliver to this point. This has
raised several questions I have so far been unable to answer.
- Where is the serial number? (I have seen others where it is located on a plate on the back. Not on this one? Nor on the rail as could be seen when the carriage is off.)
- Where is the Backspacer? (I have been told that this addition was what changed the model number from a No. 4 to a No. 5. It has not been broken off. It was never there.)
- Why is all the bare metal a copper/goldish in color? (I thought that all the metal should be chrome/nickel? Is this different or is it just dirty or corroded? If so, what would be the best way to remove this discoloration?)
I would appreciate any input before I begin on these questions
and if there are any special considerations in cleaning an Oliver. It appears that the machine will clean up
well with only minor nicks in the paint.
Thanks!
More to come……………
Wow, it looks like it's in great condition! Those decals are magnificent. Congratz on the buy!
ReplyDeleteadded another image that shows the left front of the Oliver where I thought the backspacer was supposed to be????
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty good specimen of an Oliver 5! Congrats.
ReplyDeleteYou are also fortunate to have the carriage cord clip - it was missing on my 9 and 5, and I had to make my own.
It does seem that your backspace lever has gone missing, which is unfortunate, and you'll be looking for ribbon spool covers.
There are many people on the Yahoo list who have Oliver spare parts. The various models do share many common parts, so you will likely find a donor Oliver 9 before you found a donor model 5.
Otherwise, it looks pretty fantastic for a 100 year old machine.
Thanks! Do you know where I could find a close-up image of a No. 5 back spacer? I ask because I cannot find anywhere in that area of the machine where the back spacer was originally located. Do not find any spot where the back spacer "broke off"?
ReplyDeleteBruce
Bruce - I took some close-ups of mine and pushed them up to Flickr - here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/7827692@N05/13958162989/
DeleteI am pushing up pix that highlight the serial number locations too.
Best of luck!!! Keep us posted. :-)
Sorry - to answer your specific questions (the best I can):
ReplyDeleteWhere is the serial number? (I have seen others where it is located on a plate on the back. Not on this one? Nor on the rail as could be seen when the carriage is off.)
The serials are stamped on the machine in a couple of places - generally on the square cross-bar on the lower back of the carriage (the one that has the bearing that rides on the rear carriage rail), and on a small oval plaque that is just between the carriage rail and the carriage return spring drum, on the left side (looking at the front), just over the top edge of the machine from the left carry handle. You are lacking a picture above, of that perspective.
Where is the Backspacer? (I have been told that this addition was what changed the model number from a No. 4 to a No. 5. It has not been broken off. It was never there.)
Hmmm. (head scratcher)
Why is all the bare metal a copper/goldish in color? (I thought that all the metal should be chrome/nickel? Is this different or is it just dirty or corroded? If so, what would be the best way to remove this discoloration?)
Surface rust. Many schools of thought here. 000 steel wool - but its messy. Flitz or Semichrome polish. Gentle elbow grease.
My buck-O-five. Cheers!
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ReplyDelete