195X Zeta 1511 #39916
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Vlastimil Novak (Schrei112)
Created: 03-05-2018 at 10:43AM
Last Edit: 06-08-2023 at 02:48PM
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Description:
After the end of production of licensed Remington standards and portables, Zbrojovka Brno came up with this. And also the standard model which is in my first gallery here on TWDB. Both machines look almost the same, and the controls and design are identical. I thought, that these two machines were designed from scratch, but the portable version is heavily influenced by Continental. I have found some info online regarding the end of the Continental factory in the eastern part of divided Germany and the moving of it to Russia or Belgium? If someone knows more, share it, please.
It can be said, that this machine is the evolution of portable continental. Some parts are identical, so there is the possibility of production from the original tooling. Some parts, the cast keyboard segment for example, is identical in general shape, but weight-saving cuts and holes are different. It is a different machine, but deep down is Continental in basic shape and arrangement.
Zeta itself is nothing rare, there on TWDB is a handful of export versions. 99% of these are in this wrinkle grey. I just once saw a green one with a grey squarish keyboard. The machine was facelifted after some time, with a rounder body and squarish keyboard, but the older version is more common.
I must say that I like the design, even if it is a little bit gloomy.
The quality is fantastic. Okay, a plastic keyboard is nothing much, but I get that they were doing it for the first time. Outside is ok, all controls are simple and easy to use. Inside is fabulous. Arms factory with its standards is simply an arms factory.
Writing is fine, nothing unexpected.
I got this machine for approximately two dollars. It had a broken mainspring and a missing leather handle. The mainspring is from Conti and the handle is from Olivetti MP1. Don't worry, from one I had bought as a pile of rusty and beaten scrap metal just for spare parts. I even had the key for the case, which is very unusual because those are missing every time. When it is locked, the only effect is, that opening of the case is just barely recognizable stiffer than when it is unlocked.
Otherwise is the machine in great shape.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Vlastimil Novak (Schrei112)
Vlastimil Novak's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1749
If you want something, contact me: Vlastimilnovak12@gmail.com
I am a passionate amateur mechanic from the Czech Republic, and I have always mesmerized by the complexity of typewriters since my childhood. The first one (Zeta 1501) was just a toy to me in the beginning, but by every year I got older I got also better at understanding how it is working and how to disassemble it and assemble it again. The second one was Ideal DZ33 which started my love for antique machines with all the chrome and glass keys.
My machines range from mint ones through a majority of well-used machines to piles of rust that I have repaired to be typewriters again which is a lot of fun for me.
I am quite obsessed with the beauty and technical genius of standard Continentals. I love how they were producing one model of a typewriter from 1904 to the '50s with constant changes in design and my goal is to collect every decal and every major variation of them.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Zeta 1511 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Zeta Serial Number page and the Zeta 1511 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
