Erika Typewriter, Model 5, 1941

This is a very fine example of the uncommon, World War II era, 1941 ERIKA Model 5 Tab typewriter in black with black "glass" keys.
It has the unusual (for its time) QWERTY keyboard (remember this was German manufacturing during the Second World War) and is in near-perfect condition, both mechanically and cosmetically. It is fully working in every particular and has been fully cleaned, serviced, adjusted and conserved to our highest standards. It comes with the original brushes and the original case key. It is an easy typer with a relatively soft "touch", a good feel and is quite satisfying to type with.
 
This 1941 ERIKA Model 5 comes with the original case, which is in excellent condition with few marks of age or wear. The hasp is in fine condition and the original key works as it should. Overall, it is solid, usable and very attractive with the strong original handle. . The base plate is in perfect condition and includes the original manufacturer's tag marking it as having been made on 27 July 1940 the very day that the great British destroyer HMS Codrington (the Flotilla Leader for British A-Class Destroyers) was sunk in Dover by a German air attack. Around this time, also, the Seidel & Naumann factory that manufactured Erika typewriters began production of munitions for the german war effort. So it is not unlikely that the bomb that destroyed the HMS Codrington was produced in the same factory that made this Erika typewriter.
 
 
This typewriter comes from the estate of Count van R., a Dutch aristocrat. It was used by him for private correspondence and I can only imagine that his personal letters to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands' House of Orange were typed on this very machine.
 
This extraordinary wartime typewriter comes with a mechanical guarantee for 3 months and will be shipped without extra cost, fully insured. 
 
The carriage speed is fast, the typebar action is fast and smooth. All keys type smoothly and return swiftly as originally. The "chrome" is in generally good condition however there is some very light corrosion evident on the carriage return lever, a few small spots on the left side carriage plate, and very slightly on some of the keys.
 
All the rubber is in excellent condition. The platen is smooth, soft and clean with a durometer reading of ~92 (92-95 being generally accepted as ideal). The rubber feet on the typewriter and on the case are soft and still gripping the table top. The paper feeder rollers are soft and grip the paper well. The green felt padding on the interior is in perfect condition.
 
The body finish is in superb condition. It is all original and has received not even a spot of touch-up anywhere. The decals are strong and clean and bright. The gloss finish is the finest that I have ever seen with only the slightest signs of "craquelure" on the paper tray. The only parts on this typewriter that are not original to its manufacture are two bumper pads for the spacebar.
 
This example has the larger typeface of PICA (10 cpi) and has the two original metal ribbon spools.  This typewriter has a new, two-colour Baco ribbon (the choice of many collectors) installed. The printing quality is excellent as can be seen in the photo.
 
This extraordinary example of an uncommon typewriter—the ERIKA Model 5 with QWERTY keyboard—will be packed and shipped with the greatest care to preserve its condition and beauty, insured to its full value.
 
If you have any questions or wish to see more photos, please don't hesitate to contact us.
 
This typewriter, like all of our typewriters, has gone through the following inspections, among others, and adjustments have been made as appropriate:
1. Carriage movement
2. Platen condition
3. testing of platen locks, free head and paper release
4. Condition and pressure of front and rear feed rollers
5. Line space mechanism
6, Position and action of paper shield and paper bail functions
7. Testing of paper guides
8. Placement and clearance of line gauge
9. Proper functioning of carriage release levers
10. Movement and play of shift mechanism
11. Correct action of shift keys
12. Testing of cylinder and anvil positions
13. Spring drum tension
14. Ribbon feed and reverse, and ribbon position
15. Typebar and type guide position and action
16. Margin release, line lock and bell mechanisms
17. Space bar trip, key lever spring tensions and level of keyboard
18. Key card correspondence with characters
Among other inspections and adjustments...