1046 Brands 3093 Models 20130 Galleries 12410 Typefaces 6273 Patents
Home » Tower » Chieftain » 1956 #392731
1956 Tower Chieftain Serial # 392731 1956 Tower Chieftain typewriter, Serial # 392731 David Small's 1956 Tower Chieftain typewriter. 2018-09-30 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of David Small: 1956 Tower Chieftain Serial # 392731 Based on the serial number and looking at the SN's for the Olivetti Lettera 22 I want to say this was manufactured in 1956, but this typewriter does not have a red tabulator key so I also want to say this is an example of a 1950 or 1951 Lettera 22 that Olivetti built before adding the red tab key. Perhaps this was a more stripped down model or made from some surplus so it could be branded for Sears' TOWER brand. I wanted to buy it because it IS an Olivetti Lettera 22, made in Italy to boot, even if it branded differently.

I bought this machine in Edmonds, OK for $20. About 1/5 of the keys were stuck when I picked it up, so I had to clean the typebars with denatured alcohol and a brush. I also had to buy a new ribbon. It seems to be working fine now, but I know I may have to go back for some spot work on the typebars. The 'M' still kind of sticks more than the other.

One of the paper support pieces is very loose. I'd like to fix it, but I don't know if it's worth taking everything apart to try and fix that. I can't see the bell, but I wonder if it couldn't be louder. I'm probably being too perfectionist though. I could probably spend a lot of time to clean the innards, but I don't think it's worth it.

1956 Tower Chieftain #392731

Status: My Collection
Hunter: David Small (zaxpower)
Created: 09-02-2017 at 05:10AM
Last Edit: 09-30-2018 at 07:36PM

Description Hunter 2 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Based on the serial number and looking at the SN's for the Olivetti Lettera 22 I want to say this was manufactured in 1956, but this typewriter does not have a red tabulator key so I also want to say this is an example of a 1950 or 1951 Lettera 22 that Olivetti built before adding the red tab key. Perhaps this was a more stripped down model or made from some surplus so it could be branded for Sears' TOWER brand. I wanted to buy it because it IS an Olivetti Lettera 22, made in Italy to boot, even if it branded differently.

I bought this machine in Edmonds, OK for $20. About 1/5 of the keys were stuck when I picked it up, so I had to clean the typebars with denatured alcohol and a brush. I also had to buy a new ribbon. It seems to be working fine now, but I know I may have to go back for some spot work on the typebars. The 'M' still kind of sticks more than the other.

One of the paper support pieces is very loose. I'd like to fix it, but I don't know if it's worth taking everything apart to try and fix that. I can't see the bell, but I wonder if it couldn't be louder. I'm probably being too perfectionist though. I could probably spend a lot of time to clean the innards, but I don't think it's worth it.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:



Hunter: David Small (zaxpower)

David Small's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 179

I've been interested in typewriters for some time, but I only recently obtained my first one, an electric, and in short order obtained several more manuals, and only one of the manuals worked when I obtained it.
I travel and am kind of a nomad so I like looking for typewriters, and would like to learn more about fixing and maintaining them.


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

Typewriter Hunter Merch!