1916 Noiseless 3 #12316

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)
Created: 10-16-2026 at 08:03PM
Last Edit: 10-16-2026 at 08:44PM

Description Hunter 17 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

A Noiseless Model 3.

First one on the database.

This one was made in 1916. The model 3 seems to have been made only in 1915 and 1916, with less than 3000 made according to the serial number list.

This is not fully working, as about half the keys are gummed up. I am a bit afraid to do too much to this, as the mechanism is unfamiliar, compared to usual typebar mechanisms. The sample is anemic - there are some barely visible letters...

Unlike my later Remington Noiseless, this one is a double shift machine, and because of that, they don't have to rely on the 'two-slugs-per-typebar' setup used in the later machines. Instead, there's only one slug per 'typebar', but that slug has three letters/symbols like in other double shift machines. Likewise, the mechanism is a bit reminiscent of thrust mechanisms like the Wellington I have. The platen is all metal, like in other early examples of the Noiseless-type mechanism.

Of note, this example does not have the taller paper table with decal - it has a short paper table with no decal. The back of the carriage looks like a Model 4, but this may be due to the fact that the serial number puts this at the end of the Model 3's manufacture, so aspects of Model 4 design may have been creeping in.

Cosmetically, it's in ok shape, and nothing seems to be broken or missing. It may just be a matter of careful cleaning to get this working.

Another special thing about this one was the case it came in. It is a monstrously large, well-built case, but sadly it has aged poorly. It was made with what appears to be pig leather covering, with the edges saddle stitched. The structural strength seems to have depended somewhat on the leather covering. Unfortunately, the leather is degrading, and the case if falling apart. I am attempting to glue it back together.

The case has a couple of neat stickers on it. The Toyo Kisen Kaisha was a Japanese steam ship company, and the flower-shaped torn label appears to be from The Oriental Hotel in Kobe, which apparently was a popular hotel for the fine cuisine in a part of Kobe set for foreigners.

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Another Ebay purchase from Southbridge, MA, from Chuck Dilts, who edited ETCetera from 2000 to 2005.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Single slug per 'typebar', with three characters per slug.

The feet are not too bad.

Detail of the Noiseless logo.

The impressive case. Sadly, the leather is in poor condition.

Three latches and three handles, with leather corner reinforcements. This must have been an expensive case.

Detail showing construction of the main handle, as well as the two additional side handles.

The inside is lined in corduroy!

Details of the edge construction. The wooden panels are notched where each stitch would go to join the leather pieces. This is a saddle stitch, generally used for hand stitching leather.

This appears to be from The Oriental Hotel in Kobe, Japan. Now in business as 'The Orient'.

Toyo Kisen Kaisha was a Japanese steamship company, in operation from 1896 to 1926. Apparently the plan was to ship stuff to San Francisco, but starting in 1905 it operated passenger ships from Japan to South America, for low income immigrants.

Came with some stuff. The top brush is L.C. Smith branded. The middle brush is an Osborn No. 153 brush, the the paper envelope has what seemed to have been the screws used in the original crate the typewriter came in, as well as some extra screws for affixing the rubber feet.

Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)

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Trying very hard to be more judicious in my acquisitions...

I like interesting typefaces. I like tinkering with my acquisitions to make them work.