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1948 Royal KMM Serial # KMM-3827296 1948 Royal KMM typewriter, Serial # KMM-3827296 Fumitaka Hayashi's 1948 Royal KMM typewriter. 2026-10-29 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Fumitaka Hayashi: 1948 Royal KMM Serial # KMM-3827296 A Royal KMM.

This was acquired along with a Corona 3 and 4. The connecting theme for these three typewriters was "Rust". I got the Corona 3 and 4 both working, but I had initially left the KMM sitting, as it seemed to be completely seized up with rust.

The other day, I got bored, and in an effort to play with what I have already bought instead of buying more typewriters, decided to try and get this one working.

For really rusty machines like this, I think WD-40 is just fine. It's not hardened lubricants - it's rust, and for rust, WD-40 seems to do a better job of penetrating and loosening things.

First off, I worked on the typebars and keys. By moving things carefully and irrigating the linkages with WD-40, I got all the keys moving.

I then got the carriage to move back and forth. Once the rails were cleared of rust, it seemed to move ok.

I then worked on the ribbon advance and got it loosened to the point the spring motor would move the ribbon advance like it should.

Then I tackled the tabs. The tab set and tab clear loosened up, but the tab itself never got going. It would advance a space or two, but never to the tab that was set. I left this alone.

I then replaced the draw band. Instead of the usual fishing line, I made a strap out of a shoestring, as the metal ends of the strap were still present. I got this attached, and looked up in the service manual on how to tension the spring motor.

So surprisingly, I got this to the point of working. The two things that are still not working are the tab, and the ribbon vibrator. The vibrator is mostly working, but doesn't reset to the lowest setting to reveal the typed letter. Black and red works, but since it doesn't drop, stencil mode doesn't work.

Overall, this kind of reinforces my belief that typewriters are very difficult to destroy.
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A FBM acquisition, from Adel S., in Central NJ, and was purchased in a very rusty state along with a very rusty Corona 3 and a very rusty Corona 4.

1948 Royal KMM #KMM-3827296

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)
Created: 10-29-2026 at 03:22PM
Last Edit: 10-29-2026 at 03:28PM

Description Hunter 7 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

A Royal KMM.

This was acquired along with a Corona 3 and 4. The connecting theme for these three typewriters was "Rust". I got the Corona 3 and 4 both working, but I had initially left the KMM sitting, as it seemed to be completely seized up with rust.

The other day, I got bored, and in an effort to play with what I have already bought instead of buying more typewriters, decided to try and get this one working.

For really rusty machines like this, I think WD-40 is just fine. It's not hardened lubricants - it's rust, and for rust, WD-40 seems to do a better job of penetrating and loosening things.

First off, I worked on the typebars and keys. By moving things carefully and irrigating the linkages with WD-40, I got all the keys moving.

I then got the carriage to move back and forth. Once the rails were cleared of rust, it seemed to move ok.

I then worked on the ribbon advance and got it loosened to the point the spring motor would move the ribbon advance like it should.

Then I tackled the tabs. The tab set and tab clear loosened up, but the tab itself never got going. It would advance a space or two, but never to the tab that was set. I left this alone.

I then replaced the draw band. Instead of the usual fishing line, I made a strap out of a shoestring, as the metal ends of the strap were still present. I got this attached, and looked up in the service manual on how to tension the spring motor.

So surprisingly, I got this to the point of working. The two things that are still not working are the tab, and the ribbon vibrator. The vibrator is mostly working, but doesn't reset to the lowest setting to reveal the typed letter. Black and red works, but since it doesn't drop, stencil mode doesn't work.

Overall, this kind of reinforces my belief that typewriters are very difficult to destroy.
---
A FBM acquisition, from Adel S., in Central NJ, and was purchased in a very rusty state along with a very rusty Corona 3 and a very rusty Corona 4.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

I've seen P slug markings for Pica, but I don't recall seeing the 10. I assume it's 10 for 10 cpi.
I've seen P slug markings for Pica, but I don't recall seeing the 10. I assume it's 10 for 10 cpi.


If it wasn't crinkle paint, I would consider stripping it and repainting it...
If it wasn't crinkle paint, I would consider stripping it and repainting it...




My other KMM has the bottom cover, but this one is missing it. You can get an idea of how rusty this was by looking at the rusty springs.
My other KMM has the bottom cover, but this one is missing it. You can get an idea of how rusty this was by looking at the rusty springs.

Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)

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Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1714

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

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


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