RARE Antique Hammond Typewriter – Circa 1895 – Restored

This is a beautiful antique Hammond \"Remodel\" typewriter with the early curved \"Ideal\" keyboard. This typewriter has been partially disassembled and cleaned and restored, and is fully operational. This typewriter started out as a rare Model 1 with the \"split\" 2-piece type shuttle, but was later sent back to the Hammond factory to be up-dated with the later single type shuttle, and is basically now a fine example of an early Model 2 Hammond with the curved keyboard, known as the \"Ideal\" keyboard. This keyboard was Hammond’s first design, and was replaced on later models with the straight \"querty\" keyboard, that is still in use on today’s modern computers.

The serial number on this typewriter is 9539 REM and the word \"Remodel\" is stamped into the frame, indicating it is an early model that was later up-dated.

This typewriter was removed from the wooden base and the old, dark finish was stripped and removed and new stain applied. Then a clear lacquer was applied to preserve the new finish. Also, a new felt cover was applied to the bottom of the wood base. All of the key levers were removed so they could be properly cleaned and lubricated. The entire machine was also cleaned and lubricated during the restoration process.

This machine has a rare metal patent date tag mounted near the front of the wood base, with patent dates from the 1880s and early 1890s. The last patent date is 1893. You don’t usually find this rare patent date tag on Hammond typewriters, unless they are on some of the very early models.

The machine also has a new impression strip, which is necessary in order to prevent damage to the type shuttle. These are currently being made by another seller on for Hammond owners, and I purchased one for this machine in order to make it complete for the new owner. I have never seen a Hammond typewriter sold on with a new impression strip installed, but they are necessary for proper operation.

You also never see a Hammond for sale that says the rubber rollers have been replaced, or recovered. The rubber rollers are usually cracked and deteriorated on machines this old. Both the large and small rollers of this Hammond were removed and restored with new rubber coverings.

Another Hammond typewriter similar to this one, was sold on last July for $2100 and had not been restored. The wood base had some of the lamination peeling, and there was a 2-inch long damaged area on the curved base in front. Also, the felt bottom was about 50% gone. The curved base on this machine is in perfect condition and the felt on the bottom as been replaced with new felt. But the most noticeable problem with the other machine was that 11 of the keys were either broken or un-readable. This typewriter has no broken keys, and all are nice and clearly visible, as you can see in the photos.

The typewriter that was sold last July was also a later model than this one, and had the backspace key, whereas this early model was made before that feature came out. This typewriter also has the earlier paper support, that is the same as on the first Model 1 machines. Another feature that indicates that this is a very early machine is that the erasing bar, along the top, is nickel-plated, whereas later models were painted black, as was the case on the Hammond sold last year. All of these indicate that these feature were present when this was first built as a Hammond Model 1 machine.

This Hammond also has a nice wooden cover that is in good condition, although it has not been refinished.

And last, but not least, this typewriter comes with a brand new, rare 7/16\" Hammond ink ribbon. A limited number of these were recently made for an on-line antique typewriter supply dealer. This size typewriter ribbon has not been made for many years and I was lucky to find a dealer who had these made and I bought several reels to get my Hammond collection working with fresh ribbons. I have never seen a Hammond typewriter offered on with a brand new ribbon of the correct width for these machines.

So there you have it. This Hammond has it all. If you are looking for a pristine example of one of the earliest Hammonds, in restored and working condition, this is your opportunity to offer on this fine machine. It will be the centerpiece of a nice typewriter collection, or a beautiful example of a rare and working antique from over 100 years ago.