Andreas (82mhz)Aug 2, 2024

Are there any typewriter experts here? I got this little guy the other day, it's a Privileg 300 T from the 70s I guess, judging by the design.

These seem to have been quite common, there's a lot of them on the used market, but I can't find much info about them.

So, does anyone know more about this machine or maybe has a link to a manual?

And in particular, does anyone know what that lever on the left labeled "H - L" does? [Edit: it selects how hard the paper is hit]

[Edit] Lots of great answers, thank you all very much! Have a look through the answers for more info, it seems to be a mechanism made by brother in probably 1974.

#typewriter #schreibmaschine #retrotech

Show threadDavid JONES
@82mhz heavy–light touch; how hard you have to press. It's very common in typewriters. I am borrowing a Brother with the same lever. I fiddle with it and it seems to make no difference (internet suggests a mechanism might be broken or stuck).
Aug 5, 2024 at 7:10amWeb
Show threadAndreas (82mhz)Aug 5, 2024
@drj
Yes, it's the touch sensitivity.
I had a look inside the typewriter (it's very easy to take the mechanism out of the case, just a few screws to take out) and there's a spring attached to the lever which takes up some of the force required to push the keys down.
Maybe yours is missing the spring.
The mechanism in my typewriter is made by brother as well, so if you need some pictures to compare, let me know!
Show threadDavid JONESAug 5, 2024
@82mhz I took it out of the case to clean it (extensively!) but for some reason did not investigate this lever. 😂
Show threadAndreas (82mhz)Aug 5, 2024
@drj
Classic... happens to me all the time that I have to take things apart multiple times because I forgot something 😄