1963 Torpedo 18b #1272259
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Kevin Stallaert (KStallaert)
Created: 10-09-2021 at 07:13AM
Last Edit: 12-21-2022 at 12:00PM
![1963 #1272259](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g_torpedo_16845_1633788793.jpg)
Description:
I came across this typewriter locally and posted a picture of it in the typewriter discord. The immediate reaction was "grab that". So I did. This is a Torpedo 18b with a 10CPI congress / senatorial typeface. This is a machine that has seen some heavy usage: there are scuffmarks everywhere, and even the plating of the return handle is damaged. It does type very nice and snappy though. One screw on the right side of the carriage is missing. I cleaned this machine and fixated the felt on the typebar rests. Very nice typer. A bit loud because of the hard platen.
Typeface Specimen:
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/ttorpedo_16845_1633788793.jpg)
Links:
- Torpedo 18 manual on the website of Mr. Polt
- "Bumfuck Nowhere", the second place story was typed on this machine
- Typing the first page of the story above on this Torpedo 18b
Photos:
![Front left side Front left side](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103651__103651_1633788918.jpg)
![Left side. Note the missing plating on the return handle. Left side. Note the missing plating on the return handle.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103652__103652_1633788938.jpg)
![Back side Back side](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103653__103653_1633789065.jpg)
![Right side. Note the missing screw on the carriage. The white on the ribbon cover isn't glare, the paint has been scuffed. Right side. Note the missing screw on the carriage. The white on the ribbon cover isn't glare, the paint has been scuffed.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103654__103654_1633789100.jpg)
![Front right side Front right side](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103655__103655_1633789132.jpg)
![Bottom side Bottom side](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103656__103656_1633789162.jpg)
![Under the ribbon cover Under the ribbon cover](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103657__103657_1633789183.jpg)
![Close up of the slugs Close up of the slugs](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103658__103658_1633789201.jpg)
![Serial number. It is located near the left ribbon spool. Serial number. It is located near the left ribbon spool.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103659__103659_1633789240.jpg)
![Bottom of the case. The rubber knobs are hard and brittle. the previous owner has put felt pads over them, and added two more in the middle. Bottom of the case. The rubber knobs are hard and brittle. the previous owner has put felt pads over them, and added two more in the middle.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103660__103660_1633789296.jpg)
![Bottom of the case Bottom of the case](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103661__103661_1633789392.jpg)
![Typewriter in the case. There are two slots ion the back the metal pins slide in to. The front levers secure the machine in place. Typewriter in the case. There are two slots ion the back the metal pins slide in to. The front levers secure the machine in place.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103662__103662_1633789467.jpg)
![The top of the case connects with the bottom with two small insertable hinges. The top of the case connects with the bottom with two small insertable hinges.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103663__103663_1633789542.jpg)
![Case closed Case closed](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103664__103664_1633789562.jpg)
![The case is made out of wood, as can be seen here where the paint has chipped off. The case is made out of wood, as can be seen here where the paint has chipped off.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g16845_103665__103665_1633789617.jpg)
Hunter: Kevin Stallaert (KStallaert)
Kevin Stallaert's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/member_5661_1622736879.jpg)
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1087
I fell into the typewriter rabbit hole due to nostalgia: I used to have a massive Olympia SG1 when I was a kid. It formed my typing habits, which is why I am called a "furious typer" by my coworkers. Came across the r/typewriters page on Reddit which rekindled my love for these wonderful machines. Lets just hope I don't start pushing screens off my desk when I reach the end of a line...
I also have a modest Youtube channel where I document the progress of my typewriter journey: https://www.youtube.com/@Slug_Life
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Torpedo 18b on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Torpedo Serial Number page and the Torpedo 18b By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.