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1926 Olivetti M20 Serial # 2630665 1926 Olivetti M20 typewriter, Serial # 2630665 Enrico Morozzi's 1926 Olivetti M20 typewriter. 2014-04-11 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Enrico Morozzi: 1926 Olivetti M20 Serial # 2630665 Olivetti M20 is the 2nd Olivetti-built typewriter.
It was produced from 1920 to 1931 about 87000 units in 3 different series.
This machine is a M20 2nd series with optional decimal tabulator.
The look is very similar to the M1, but the mechanics are completely different..
Improvements made this machine easier to assembly and repair, without losing much of the soft and precise touch of the previous model. Some mechanical details are explained in the next photos.

1926 Olivetti M20 #2630665

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Enrico Morozzi (elmoroz)
Created: 04-10-2014 at 07:58AM
Last Edit: 04-11-2014 at 06:23AM

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Description:

Olivetti M20 is the 2nd Olivetti-built typewriter.
It was produced from 1920 to 1931 about 87000 units in 3 different series.
This machine is a M20 2nd series with optional decimal tabulator.
The look is very similar to the M1, but the mechanics are completely different..
Improvements made this machine easier to assembly and repair, without losing much of the soft and precise touch of the previous model. Some mechanical details are explained in the next photos.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

On this typewriter the decals are all originals. I had just to blow away some dust, and give a little oil on the carriage rail.. It works amazingly smooth. When I want to relax writing something this is my favorite writing machine.
On this typewriter the decals are all originals. I had just to blow away some dust, and give a little oil on the carriage rail.. It works amazingly smooth. When I want to relax writing something this is my favorite writing machine.

A detail of the s/n. It's on the right bottom of the carriage rail. That big screws on the top are eccentric, and they are used to tune the carriage rail.
A detail of the s/n. It's on the right bottom of the carriage rail. That big screws on the top are eccentric, and they are used to tune the carriage rail.

On the M1 the margin unlock is on the keyboard. On the M20 you have to push the steel lever near the scale. You see the typebars are mounted on a classic Underwood-type segment basket, and not one-by-one like the Olivetti M1. NB this machine has basket shif, not carriage shift.
On the M1 the margin unlock is on the keyboard. On the M20 you have to push the steel lever near the scale. You see the typebars are mounted on a classic Underwood-type segment basket, and not one-by-one like the Olivetti M1. NB this machine has basket shif, not carriage shift.

The carriage rail doesn't run on ball bearings, but on small cylinders. The same system was used on the Ideal standard typewriters. It keeps the movements smooth while reducing the vibrations. The rail is fully adjustable by the screws you see on the left side of the rail.
The carriage rail doesn't run on ball bearings, but on small cylinders. The same system was used on the Ideal standard typewriters. It keeps the movements smooth while reducing the vibrations. The rail is fully adjustable by the screws you see on the left side of the rail.

The spool gears are smaller than in the Olivetti M1, and they are better brotected inside the chassis.
The spool gears are smaller than in the Olivetti M1, and they are better brotected inside the chassis.

This photo is taken from under the keyboard. The keypoard doesn't run on pivot rods, but on pulling rods. This leverage system is very similar to the one used on the Smith Premier 10 and requires few moving parts comparing to the Olivetti M1 system.
This photo is taken from under the keyboard. The keypoard doesn't run on pivot rods, but on pulling rods. This leverage system is very similar to the one used on the Smith Premier 10 and requires few moving parts comparing to the Olivetti M1 system.

Hunter: Enrico Morozzi (elmoroz)

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RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Olivetti M20 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Olivetti Serial Number page and the Olivetti M20 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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