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Singer Electric, Singer Graduate, Singer Graduate T3, Singer Scholastic T2, Singer Scholastic T4, Singer T-50, Singer T-70, Singer T-82, Singer T.51
Singer typewriter serial number age list, Singer typewriter model list Singer information
Brand: Royal Also known as • Royal (Triumph-Adler) • Sears (Royal) • Singer
Serial Number Table Last Edited: 03/13/18 05:35
NOTE: dates shown are JAN 1 unless noted, so the serial number shown is the *first* serial number produced the given year. Exceptions are serial
numbers preceded by "up to"(where you can assume that the numbers reported in that subsection are DECEMBER 31, END OF YEAR NUMBERS)
or rows where a month is given in the month column. If the serial number is shown as a range (xxxx-xxxx) it indicates
that we know the entire range of serial numbers for the given year.
Royal Typewriter Co. Inc., New York, U.S.A. Company Founded 1904. | 18 | ||||
Platen Diameter | Standards & Electrics 1.485" (37.72mm) except Model Superia: 1.751" (44.5mm) Portables: Models O,OT,P,RA,AG,A,B,C,CG,RF,F,RC,E,ES,J,JC,BJ,CD,U,D,UR,UB: 1.272" (32.31mm) Models Royalite & Dart: 1.259" (32mm) Models Royaluxe 300,325,350,400,425,450, Diana: 1.271" (32.3mm) |
24 | |||
Models and s/n | Y | M | D | Remarks | Ref. |
Standard Manual |
Electrics (introduced 1950) serial numbers first run up to 16000, then in late 1951, begin running concurrent with Standard Manuals. Serial Number Location: On top plate, right side rear, under carriage. |
18,31 | |||
Regal Rebuilt |
Note: Regal Rebuilt Royals carry a "Y" prefix, with "SY" segment shift, and "CSY" Chrome segment shift.
Serial number is restarted at 100,000 each year, and completely replaces the older serial. A "close to" original manufacture serial number
(and thus, the approximate original manufacture date) can be found on the left side of the frame, painted over. Example: Y35-107833 is a Carriage Shift model, the 7833rd machine rebuilt by Regal in 1935. |
18 | |||
Royal Grand | ![]() |
Royal offered to dealers the "Royal Grand", very similar in appearance (but not mechanically) to the later #10 model. The "Grand" had covered ribbon spools and was priced at $100. While there is evidence that the "Grand" was offered between 1906-07, for reasons currently unknown it was pulled from the market. Not many, if any, were sold to the public and fewer than 6 are known in collections today. Known serial numbers: #169, #206. | 18,78 | ||
1 | 1906 | ![]() |
Model No. 1 "Standard" started, priced at $65. Nos. 2, 3 and 4 were larger carriage versions of No. 1 |
18 | |
1000 | 1907 | 18 | |||
4000 | 1908 | 18 | |||
14000 | 1909 | 18 | |||
35000 | 1910 | ![]() |
Model No. 5 started, Nos. 6, 7, 8 were larger carriage versions of No. 5 | 17,18 | |
58000 | 1911 | 17 | |||
85000 | 1912 | 17 | |||
142000 | 1913 | Model No. 10 started in late 1913 - series run: 173000 to 1663999. First variation (173000 to 212000) had two open rectangular holes in the side, surrounded by pinstriping. | 17,123 | ||
175000 | 1914 | ![]() ![]() |
Second variation: Double glass panels began at 212000 and ran until 745308. | 17,18,123 | |
205000 | 1915 | 17 | |||
234000 | 1916 | 17 | |||
279000 | 1917 | Variable Line Spacer began at 282000 | 17,18 | ||
336000 | 1918 | 17 | |||
394000 | 1919 | 17 | |||
478000 | 1920 | 17 | |||
567000 | 1921 | "QX" Prefix, first serial: 600000 | 17,18 | ||
641000 | 1922 | 17 | |||
678000 | 1923 | Third variation: Single glass panel replaced double glass panels at serial 745309 and continues to 1663999. | 17,123 | ||
760000 | 1924 | 17 | |||
848000 | 1925 | 17 | |||
940000 | 1926 | 17 | |||
1036000 | 1927 | 17 | |||
1134000 | 1928 | 17 | |||
1236000 | 1929 | 17 | |||
1348000 | 1930 | 17 | |||
1435000 | 1931 | First segment shift at 1466500 | 17,18 | ||
1525000 | 1932 | "S" Model is prior to "H" model | 17,18 | ||
1554000 | 1933 | 17 | |||
1617000 | 1934 | "H" and "KH" in 1664000 to 1850000 ("K" means Keyset) | 17,18 | ||
1723000 | 1935 | ![]() |
"KHM" series ran 1850000 to 2249999. Initals mean: K - Key Set, HM - H Model, DT - Keyset, KDTHM - H Model 5 key Keyset. | 17,18,115 | |
1847000 | 1936 | 17 | |||
2005000 | 1937 | 17 | |||
2178000 | 1938 | ![]() |
"KHT" fall of 1938, ran series 2250000 to 2273522, "KMM" Magic Margin ran series 2273522 to 3849999. (REMINGTON Examined #2250058 in Oct '38) | 17,18,115 | |
2320000 | 1939 | 17 | |||
2494000 | 1940 | 17 | |||
2681000 | 1941 | 17 | |||
2901000 | 1942 | 17 | |||
3026000 | 1943 | Production Halted: World War II | 17 | ||
3026000 | 1944 | Production Halted: World War II | 17 | ||
3037000 | 1945 | 17 | |||
3094000 | 1946 | 17 | |||
3273000 | 1947 | 17 | |||
3550000 | 1948 | 17 | |||
3865000 | 1949 | ![]() |
Model "KMG" Announced 2/10/49, ran series 3850000 to 4814999, first grey model. KMG Model Paint Color: Gray Frieze. |
17,18,115, 120 | |
4100000 | 1950 | Royal "RP" Electric introduced Jan 1950. Serial numbers of first Model "RP" Electrics ran in a special series 1000 to 16000 and then were sequenced to match regular Royal Standards in late 1951. | 17,18,115 | ||
4360000 | 1951 | 17 | |||
4688000 | 1952 | ![]() |
"HH" Model, standard 43-key keyboard ran series 4815000 to (?). Announced around 8/1/52.
(HHP is Pica, HHE is Elite, HHS is 'other') HH Model Paint Colors: Charcoal Grey smooth, Nile Green smooth, Horizon Blue smooth, Coral Rose, Gray Frieze, Royaltone Dark Gray wrinkle, Royaltone Light Gray wrinkle. |
17,18,115, 116,120 | |
4990000 | 1953 | 17 | |||
5248000 | 1954 | Model "RE" Electric runs series 5375000 to (?) RE Model Paint Colors: Royaltone or Pearl Dark Gray smooth, Royaltone or Pearl Light Gray smooth, Charcoal Gray smooth, Gray Frieze (same as RP), Royaltone Dark Gray wrinkle, Royaltone Light Gray wrinkle, Willow Green smooth, Nile Green Smooth, Royal Light Green smooth, Royal Dark Green smooth, Horizon Blue smooth, Sea Blue smooth, Royal Light Blue smooth, Royal Dark Blue smooth, Cameo Pink smooth (Petal Pink), Royal Light Coral smooth, Royal Dark Coral smooth, Royal Light Beige wrinkle, Royal Dark Beige wrinkle, Royal Light Beige smooth, Royal Dark Beige smooth, Brushed Aluminum, Sandstone smooth, Coral Rose. |
17,115,120 | ||
5500000 | 1955 | 17 | |||
5787000 | 1956 | 17 | |||
6037000 | 1957 | ![]() |
Model "FP" begins #6195809. (FPP is Pica, FPE is Elite, FPS is 'other') FP Model Paint Colors: Royaltone or Pearl Dark Gray smooth, Royaltone or Pearl Light Gray smooth, Willow Green smooth, Sea Blue smooth, Cameo Pink smooth (Petal Pink), Brushed Aluminum, Sandstone smooth, Coral Rose. |
17,28,120 | |
6393000 | 1958 | 17 | |||
6650000 | 1959 | Model "HE" Electric begins #6859000 HE Model Paint Colors: Royaltone or Pearl Light Gray smooth, Cameo Pink smooth (Petal Pink), Oyster White, Mist Green, Sapphire Blue, Electro Black, Princess Beige (special order). |
17,116,120 | ||
6950000 | 1960 | 17 | |||
7100000 | 1961 | 17 | |||
7300000 | 1962 | ![]() ![]() |
Model "101" begins #7471771 Model "MC" Empress begins #7325000. (MCP is Pica, MCE is Elite, MCS is 'other') MC Model Paint Colors: Oyster White, Princess Beige (special order), Fawn Gray, Aztec Blue, Moss Light Green. Electric Model "HE" becomes Model "Emperor". Electress "GA" Model Introduced. |
17,28,116, 120 | |
7500000 | 1963 | 17 | |||
7775000 | 1964 | 20 | |||
8060000 | 1965 | Electress "GAK" Carbon Ribbon only model introduced. GAR Model (I/O capable?) | 20 | ||
8290000 | 1966 | ![]() |
Model "440" begins #8390000. Model "660" Electric begins. 440/550/660 Model Paint Colors: Oyster White, Fawn Gray, Aztec Blue, Desert Beige, Tahitian Beige, Arctic White, Tropic Blue, Persian Green, Matte Black, Elliot Mist Gray. |
20,28,120 | |
8590000 | 1967 | 20 | |||
8870000 | 1968 | 20 | |||
9192000 | 1969 | 20 | |||
9432000 | 1970 | 20 | |||
9694000 | 1971 | 20 | |||
10878000 | 1972 | 20 | |||
11311000 | 1973 | All Desktop model production moved overseas. | 20 | ||
11796000 | 1974 | Model 470 introduced on Royal's 70th Anniversary. #470-11-1305529 example known, possible that Royal Standard series rolls over to 1,000,000 after 9,999,999, but serial list doesn't support this. | 20 | ||
12367000 | 1975 | 20 | |||
Superia Standard | made by Orga A.G., Nuernberg, Germany, owned by Royal | ||||
300000-303999 | 1950 | ![]() |
13 | ||
304000-311999 | 1951 | 13 | |||
312000-313999 | 1952 | Production ended 1953 | 13 | ||
Electric |
Royal Electric introduced Jan 1950. Serial numbers of first electrics ran in a
special series up to 16000 and then were sequenced to match regular Royal Standards in late 1951. Royal labeled other manufacturers electric portables as Royals, beginning with the Diana Electric in the 1950s and continuing into the 1970s with Silver Seiko portable electrics from Japan. (see below) |
18 | |||
Portables |
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Royal Portable, Models:
P, OT, O (no model name) A, AG [1950-52], RA[1953-55 "Speed Control"], AB [1955-57 blue], AC [1955-57 charcoal], AR [1955-57 red], AG [1955-57 green], AD [1957 grey/blue], AE [1957 tan], AY [1955-57 yellow], AP [1955-57 pink], AW [1957-58 white] (Quiet DeLuxe) B [1938-1941], RB [1956-1958], A1(?) [1965-1968] (Speed King, Aristocrat) C, CG (Arrow) CD, RF, F (Companion, Commander) RC (Keystone) 2A (Futura 800) 2C (Futura 400) SA (Safari) CR (Caravan) CU (Custom) RX (Royaluxe) SB (Sabre) |
|||||
1 | 1926 | ![]() |
'P' Model introduced. | 17 | |
6000 | 1927 | Change made to feet at #31593, round rubber feet. | 17,123 | ||
56500 | 1928 | 17 | |||
114500 | 1929 | 17 | |||
183800 | 1930 | ![]() |
Shell change to add gull-wing ribbon covers at #188300, also feet changed to square rubber with metal insert frames. | 17,123 | |
260000 | 1931 | 17 | |||
308600 | 1932 | 'O' Model introduced. | 17 | ||
324900 | 1933 | 17 | |||
354231 | 1934 | Proto-De Luxe "A" Model with tabulator introduced. | 17 | ||
409082 | 1935 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Shell redesign for 'O' and 'A' Models. De Luxe 'A' Model introduced starting with serial number 471,000 and featuring nickel-chromium plating and a longer line space lever. 'P' Model becomes Royal Junior.
The Model "A" = touch control, finger comfort keys, automatic paper lock, tabulator, paper guide,
complete enclosure as dust protection, types a 9 inch line, comes in 9 or 10 or 12 pitch,
all brightwork is chrome plated, and could be bought in black, maroon, or green (glossy paint).
Case has chrome-plated dual locks and a weatherproof band around the joint. The "A" sold for $60. |
17,7 | |
493068 | 1936 | 17 | |||
602939 | 1937 | 17 | |||
724093 | 1938 | ![]() |
Quiet 'A' Model begins, 'B' Model Speed King begins. 'O' and Junior Model discontinued. | 17 | |
807493 | 1939 | ![]() |
De Luxe and Quiet 'A' Models become the Quiet De Luxe. 'B' Model Speed King becomes Aristocrat. 'C' Model Arrow Begins. | 17 | |
926862 | 1940 | 'CD' Model Companion begins. | 17 | ||
995728 | 1941 | Dec 7, 1941: US enters WWII, 'A', 'B' and 'CD' Models drastically scaled back on March 15th, 1942. | 17 | ||
1107503 | 1942 | ![]() |
In 1942 Royal produces mainly US Navy Radio Mill Arrow 'C' Models. Approx 56,000 portables made, likely mostly for military use, 1942 to 1943 | 17 | |
1152000 | 1943 | 17,22 | |||
production halted | 1944 | All portable production halts. | 17 | ||
production halted | 1945 | Production of civilian-market 'A' and 'C' Model portables re-starts mid/late 1945. | 17 | ||
1164182 | 1946 | 17 | |||
1275456 | 1947 | 17 | |||
1473968 | 1948 | ![]() |
Shell re-designed by Henry Dreyfuss, Squared shell, Grey and Black with oval crome inserts for front levers. Keytops change from round glass to 'tombstone' glass with chromed rims. | 17 | |
1741468 | 1949 | ![]() |
Shell color reconfigured in the beginning months of 1949, shell now all-grey. Gold-plated Anniversary 'A' Models produced. | 17 | |
1940834 | 1950 | ![]() |
Shell re-designed again near the end of 1950. Ribbon cover hole enlarged, chrome lever inserts now have "wings", Plastic keys begin, except on special-order and some foreign keyboards. 'C' Model Arrow Discontinued, Companion re-designed and re-launched as 'F' Model. | 17 | |
2137681 | 1951 | 17 | |||
2353369 | 1952 | 'F' Model Companion halted. | 17 | ||
2563970 | 1953 | ![]() |
"RA" serial prefix Quiet De Luxe introduces "Speed Control" motor tension control, similar to "Carriage Control" on Standard Model HH. This feature vanishes with the end of the RA prefix QDLs in 1956. | 17 | |
2787735 | 1954 | Royal merged into the new Royal-McBee Corporation in 1954. | 17,144 | ||
2977900 | 1955 | ![]() |
Non-crinkle brightly-colored paint scemes begin. Prefixes: AB [1955-57 blue], AC [1955-57 charcoal], AR [1955-57 red], AG [1955-57 green], AP [1955-57 pink], AY [1955-57 yellow]. | 17 | |
3177500 | 1956 | 'B' Model Aristocrat redesigned and re-launched. 'RS' Model Companion re-designed and re-launched. "RA" prefix Quiet De Luxe ends and "Speed Control" is dropped as a feature. "T" prefix teal colored models appear in 1956. Unknown if they have special features other than a new red-background for the ribbon cover logo, a look which is continued until the end of the QDL in 1958. |
17 | ||
3449287 | 1957 | A new two-tone wrinkle paint scheme is added to the lineup along with a tan wrinkle and towards the end of 1957, the "AW" white that becomes the only model to make the cut in 1958. The "T" prefix of 1956 becomes the "AT" teal of 1957. Prefixes: AD [1957 grey/blue crinkle], AE [1957 tan crinkle], AT [1957 teal], AW [1957-58 white]. | 17 | ||
3770781 | 1958 | ![]() |
Quiet De Luxe 'A' Model becomes Futura 800 '2A' Model,
Arrow 'C' Model becomes Futura 400 '2C' Model,
although all are produced concurrently during 1958.
'B' Model Aristocrat becomes 'SK' Model Speed King, 'RS' Model Companion halted. For the 'A' Model Quiet De Luxe, its final year of production was in a single prefix, introduced late in 1957. Prefix: AW [1958 white]. |
17 | |
4053056 | 1959 | "Quiet De Luxe" Discontinued. | 17 | ||
4200000 | 1960 | Approximation. | 60 | ||
4500000 | 1961 | Approximation. | 60 | ||
4800000 | 1962 | Approximation. | 60 | ||
5200000 | 1963 | ![]() |
Approximation. Futura 800 '2A' model becomes Safari 'SA' Model at #5,584,967. Caravan 'CR' Model introduced. | 60,28 | |
5584967 | 1964 | 6 | |||
5958589 | 1965 | Aristocrat re-launched with 'A1(?)' Prefix.
Custom 'CU' Model began.
Caravan 'CR' Model discontinued(?). Royal-McBee Corporation bought and merged into Litton Industries on February 28, 1965. |
6,144 | ||
6474796 | 1966 | Litton purchases Imperial Typewriter Co. in England. | 6,144 | ||
6910000 | 1967 | Approximation. | 60 | ||
7260000 | 1968 | ![]() |
Approximation. Safari 'SA' Model becomes Sabre 'SB' model (made in Portugal). Aristocrat discontinued. Litton purchases Triumph-Adler in 1968. |
60,144 | |
7590000 | 1969 | Approximation. Royal closes its Springfield portable typewriter plant. |
144 | ||
7870000 | 1970 | Approximation. | |||
8110000 | 1971 | Approximation. | |||
8350000 | 1972 | Approximation. | |||
8570000 | 1973 | ![]() |
Approximation. Model Custom III prefix 'CB' introduced. |
||
8970000 | 1974 | Approximation. Imperial plant closed down. |
144 | ||
9030000 | 1975 | Approximation. SB9064581 sold Sept., 1975. |
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9070000 | 1976 | Approximation. | |||
9110000 | 1977 | Approximation. SB9126804 sold June, 1977. |
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9160000 | 1978 | Approximation. | |||
9190000 | 1979 | Approximation. Royal Sabre is offered by distributors, and first mention is made of new "low-end" Safari model coming in 1980 - this is the "Messa" ABC-pattern Safari in plastic shell. Volkswagen purchases TA/Royal from Litton. |
144 | ||
9220000 | 1980 | Approximation. Sabre and Custom III offered by distributors along with new ABC-pattern Safari. |
|||
9245000 | 1981 | Approximation. Sabre is dropped from distributor list, and Custom IV introduced. ABC-pattern Safari continues. |
|||
9265000 | 1982 | Approximation. | |||
9280000 | 1983 | Approximation. | |||
9300000 | 1984 | Approximation. Custom IV dropped from distributor list, leaving only ABC-pattern Safari. This appears to be the end of the line for the series. |
60 | ||
-- | 1985 | ABC-Pattern Safari dropped from distributor list,
replaced by "Royal Safari II", a rebranding of a Nakajima design manufactured in Japan.
The "Safari III" was produced by Dong-Ah Precision in Korea on the Silver-Seiko 600 tooling. Olivetti purchases TA/Royal by 1986. |
134,144 | ||
Royal Portable, Models: E (Signet) - ES (Signet Junior) - J, JC, BJ (Junior) - CD (Companion) - U (Mercury) - D, UR, UB (Varsity) | |||||
1000 | 1932 | ![]() |
"E" Model Signet begins. | 17 | |
21500 | 1933 | 17 | |||
24369 | 1934 | ![]() |
"J" Model Junior Begins. | 17 | |
33652 | 1935 | ![]() |
Shell redesign model Junior. | 17 | |
45013 | 1936 | 17 | |||
52139 | 1937 | 17 | |||
66284 | 1938 | 17 | |||
85734 | 1939 | ![]() |
"U" Model Mercury, "CD" Model Companion and "UB" Model Varsity begin. New shell design. | 17 | |
112573 | 1940 | 17 | |||
162970 | 1941 | 17 | |||
232332 | 1942 | Production ends on March 15th, 1942, as the US enters WWII. | 17 | ||
Diana Portable and Portable Electric, Royaluxe 300 and 325 | made by Orga A.G., Nuernberg, Germany, owned by Royal | ||||
10000-13364 | 1952 | ![]() |
13 | ||
13365-22019 | 1953 | 6 | |||
22020-32143 | 1954 | 6 | |||
32144-37140 | 1955 | 6 | |||
37141-43335 | 1956 | 6 | |||
43336-64700 | 1957 | 6 | |||
64701-81474 | 1958 | 6 | |||
81475-104310 | 1959 | 6 | |||
104311-111500 | 1959 | 6 | |||
111501-128000 | 1960 | Production ends around serial #128,000 | 24 | ||
Royalite, Dart and Royaluxe 400, 425 and 450, Parade, Signet | |||||
3000001 | 1955 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Made for Royal by Halberg Machinefabriek N. V., Cuyk, Holland. Based on Halberg Traveller design. | 24 | |
3160000 | 1956 | 24 | |||
3385300 | 1957 | 24 | |||
3730500 | 1958 | 24 | |||
3952180 | 1959 | 24 | |||
4280765 | 1960 | 24 | |||
4544659 | 1961 | 6,24 | |||
4927715 | 1962 | 6 | |||
5292116 | 1963 | 6 | |||
5743811 | 1964 | 6 | |||
6098916 | 1965 | 6 | |||
6580453 | 1966 | 6 | |||
6800000 | 1967 | ![]() |
Approximation. New shell design. | ||
7100000 | 1968 | Approximation | |||
7400000 | 1969 | Approximation | |||
Royal (Silver Seiko) Mustang, Apollo, Signet, Sprite, Swinger, Fleetwood, etc. | |||||
1965-1974 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Manufactured by Silver Seiko in Japan for Royal starting in 1965 after merger into Royal-McBee and Imperial in 1966 after merger with Litton. See: Royal (Silver Seiko). | 144 | ||
Royal (Messa) Safari, etc. | |||||
1980-1984 | ![]() |
Manufactured by Messa in Portugal for Royal and Imperial. Based on ABC portable design. See: Royal (Messa). | |||
Royal Safari II | |||||
1985-1987 | ![]() |
Manufactured by Nakajima in Japan for TA/Royal. Based on Nakajima portable design. See: Nakajima ALL. | |||
Royal Safari III | |||||
1988-?? | ![]() |
Manufactured by Dong-AH in Korea for TA/Royal. Based on larger Silver-Seiko portable design. See: Dong-AH Precision. | |||
Royal Safari IV | |||||
198? | ![]() |
Manufactured by Typewriters Works Plovdiv in Bulgaria for TA/Royal. Based on smaller Silver-Seiko portable design. See: Typewriters Works. | 144 | ||
Royal Epoch | |||||
2013-2017 | ![]() |
Manufactured by Shanghai Weilv Mechanism Company in China under Royal branding. Based on IMC Italian design. Sold mainly via catalog outlets. | 113 | ||
2017 | ![]() |
Grey shell color introduced. | |||
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