Oliver Tribute > Oliver Ruling Devices

Field Guide to Identifying Oliver Portable Model Types

 

By Shannon L. Johnson.


This page is intended to assist those who are submitting information on Oliver Portable Typewriters for my World Wide Oliver Census. I have been able to identify, with the invaluable help of others, five Types of Oliver portables. Eventually, I will write a full article on this topic, but not until I have more information then has already been written on Oliver portables.

Download 1 page PDF Version of this Guide (size: 672k)

Type 1

Early Oliver Portable: shift lock on left side and notice smooth cover above keyboard.


Plate 1

SERIAL NUMBER LOCATED on the right side of the frame, under the carriage, to the back. It is visible when the carriage is moved to the left.

Type 2

Oliver Portable: shift lock on right side and notice different stamp pattern of metal cover above keyboard from Type 1.


Plate 2

SERIAL NUMBER LOCATED on the left side of the frame, under the carriage, to the middle. It is visible when the carriage is moved to the right.

Type 3

Oliver Portable: boxy skin on previous mechanism.


Plate 3

SERIAL NUMBER LOCATED on the left side of the frame, under the carriage, to the middle. It is visible when the carriage is moved to the right.

Type 4

Oliver Portable: new mechanism, flat form factor.


Plate 4

SERIAL NUMBER LOCATED on the right side of the frame, under the carriage, to the right. It is visible when the carriage is moved to the left.

Type 5

Oliver Courier: new form factor, mechanism similar to previous.


Plate 5

SERIAL NUMBER LOCATED on the right side of the frame, under the carriage, to the right. It is visible when the carriage is moved to the left.

 

Sources:

Oliver Tribute Index
Serial NumbersModel No. 3Model No. 5Company HistoryPrintypeRuling Devices

Main Index
S.L. Johnson Typewriter PageCorona TributeOliver Tribute


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