195X Montana Model 102A #13104

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Aaron Friedrich Lotar Rolf Klamp (Technokid)
Created: 06-16-2023 at 05:34AM
Last Edit: 06-16-2023 at 12:50PM

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Description:

Saw it, bought it.

When this Montana popped up at local eBay I instantaniously knew that it isn´t an everyday find.
To be precise, I have never seen it for sale or anything else related, other than the short mensioning in Richard Polts blog, since I´m collecting.

Richard describes it as a Typewriter between Toy and a regular one. As I could lay my own eyes on it now, I can reveal some more insights about its nature.

But first things first. This Montana Media or Montana Model 102/A is pictured in the very same state I received it, and obviously in very good condition.
It came with its case and keys, a soft-cover labeled with „Montana“ and two brochures for learning typewriting and secreterial traits.

So it was indeed bought for learning procedures, as there are also a few sheets with typing exersises included. Therefore it seems to be suited, outfitted with all necessities.

It has a color selector, a manuel ribbon reverse, three point line spacing, variable line spacer and, and thats strange, a „magic margin“ system. It is carriage shifted and the touch is a little sluggish, but the overall built quality is decent. You have a quite heavy, semi-portable in your hands, compairable in size with an Olympia SM3, Triumph Gabriele, or Royal Quite De Luxe (60´s).
Its Pica font seems to be smaler than the regular 10cpi. (Haven´t took meassures yet)

And now for the origins of the Montana mod.-102/A.
As I tried to date it and therefore surched in the Database for clues, I stumpled not unexpected over the fact, that Montana builded besides the licenced version of the famous Hermes Baby another Typewriter, which had more than a dozen names. S.I.M. 40, SIMTYPE, Montana, also OLIVER, to only name a few.

And yes, you may have guessed it here, the Montana mod.-102/A is basically the same Typewriter.
Besides, and that’s importand, the carriage. This part was hugely alterned, for the latest and last version of the plattform. From my comparissons to my SIMTYPE I can say, that the carriage rail was widened, the bell system was placed from below the rails behind it and of course the „Magic Margin“ System was adopted. Of course it isn´t labeled like that, but it is used the same way.
There are even more differences, but I think It is clear at that point, that they undertook a huge overhaul of that part.

So „et voila“, it is not a Toy, it is a Oliver-Europa-S.I.M. Typer ( pick your name, I won´t count them all :-D )

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

- Serial up side down -

- nothing to see here - a well preserved bottom part -

- Cheney England - The same manufacturer as on the locks of my SIMTYPE -

- now thats an odd and cumbersome way to place a Typewriter in its case -

- manual ribbon reverse and color indicator can give a first hint on its origins -

- it looks a tad sad -

Hunter: Aaron Friedrich Lotar Rolf Klamp (Technokid)

Aaron Friedrich Lotar Rolf Klamp's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2736

Student of fine Arts, born and raised in Germany. Since October 2017 addicted to Typewriters with the focus on post war portables made of metall (not plastic).