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Home » Burroughs » 50 » 1934 #50A37068
1934 Burroughs 50 Serial # 50A37068 1934 Burroughs 50 typewriter, Serial # 50A37068 James Grooms's 1934 Burroughs 50 typewriter. 2026-11-07 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of James Grooms: 1934 Burroughs 50 Serial # 50A37068 The Burroughs Standard typewriter, aka the 50. Another example of how modern naming doesn't match the era.

There's been quite a bit written on the Burroughs. It didn't meet its demise due to the Second World War and material shortages. The Standard was gone before the US entry into the war, and the 60 continued on into 1943. Burroughs was outside the restriction zone for manufacturing, and one would need to do more research to determine what impact WPB had on their operations.

The consumer marketing campaign for the Standard is minuscule. After the October 1931 press releases, of which there are few, they don't even run an ad in Office Appliance, even though they were there on the prominent back page with their adders. They will promote the Electric machine in 1934.

Why did it fail? It was soon-to-be-dated technology when it was new. Royal is your answer, with segment shift and key-set tabs. There are but a few ads for used Burroughs machines, but they are always at the bottom of the barrel.

This example was pretty clean. It had seen a fair amount of work and rough service. One of those, if tight is good, tighter is better sorts. The ribbon drive gears were intact. The key to saving these is not to operate the machine with the ribbon spool levers dropped down (see images). These actuate a lever that is a simple counterweight-activated drop to stop the gear. Once these are stuck, and it doesn't take much, the mechanism won't shift. The platen is a stone. It would be interesting to evaluate the action with a recovered one. There is some rust here and there on the stamped frame.

It is easy to work on. Removing the probably hazardous insulation was tough. You can see why they promoted the quiet feature. Some 3mm EVA foam to the rescue. Why would I use felt that absorbs humidity and odors?

It is a handsome machine.

1934 Burroughs 50 #50A37068

Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 11-07-2026 at 04:47AM
Last Edit: 11-07-2026 at 08:11AM

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Description:

The Burroughs Standard typewriter, aka the 50. Another example of how modern naming doesn't match the era.

There's been quite a bit written on the Burroughs. It didn't meet its demise due to the Second World War and material shortages. The Standard was gone before the US entry into the war, and the 60 continued on into 1943. Burroughs was outside the restriction zone for manufacturing, and one would need to do more research to determine what impact WPB had on their operations.

The consumer marketing campaign for the Standard is minuscule. After the October 1931 press releases, of which there are few, they don't even run an ad in Office Appliance, even though they were there on the prominent back page with their adders. They will promote the Electric machine in 1934.

Why did it fail? It was soon-to-be-dated technology when it was new. Royal is your answer, with segment shift and key-set tabs. There are but a few ads for used Burroughs machines, but they are always at the bottom of the barrel.

This example was pretty clean. It had seen a fair amount of work and rough service. One of those, if tight is good, tighter is better sorts. The ribbon drive gears were intact. The key to saving these is not to operate the machine with the ribbon spool levers dropped down (see images). These actuate a lever that is a simple counterweight-activated drop to stop the gear. Once these are stuck, and it doesn't take much, the mechanism won't shift. The platen is a stone. It would be interesting to evaluate the action with a recovered one. There is some rust here and there on the stamped frame.

It is easy to work on. Removing the probably hazardous insulation was tough. You can see why they promoted the quiet feature. Some 3mm EVA foam to the rescue. Why would I use felt that absorbs humidity and odors?

It is a handsome machine.

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Neutral position. The lever is holding the gear stop up.
Neutral position. The lever is holding the gear stop up.


The ribbon spool is empty and the lever uptop is engaged and moving out of the way. The gears stop has engaged. All that moves this is the weight attached to it. They are easily gummed up and/or corroded so they stick up.
The ribbon spool is empty and the lever uptop is engaged and moving out of the way. The gears stop has engaged. All that moves this is the weight attached to it. They are easily gummed up and/or corroded so they stick up.

The gear stop has kicked the shaft up and switched the sides.
The gear stop has kicked the shaft up and switched the sides.

The lever, spring loaded up above, is moving the gear stop out of the way.
The lever, spring loaded up above, is moving the gear stop out of the way.

Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)

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Typewriters are the perfect blend of using one's technical skills, history and functional purpose. My goal is type tested machines. My interests are not isolated to any one area. For example, I am a big fan of Smith Corona electrics, mid century electrics and all things Royal.


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