Featured Vintage Underwood Manual Typewriter (year?)

Hello All, I was looking for a Forum to drop my question into, but I wasn't sure where a "typewriter" would fall, so I figured I would go general. I recently bought Vintage Underwood model manual typewriter at a yard sale. I had no idea the year, but it looked old and cool, and I only paid $10 for it. I am wanting to determine the actual year and so I sought out the serial number, which appears to be: S11-5737796, but after looking online I still can't determine the exact year. Anyone have any insights, please? Thanks!

 

You might want to determine the model first.

Debora

 

Look like this one? Underwood Master. 1940.

https://oldbobsoldtypewriters.com/portfolio-item/underwood-master-1940/

Debora

 

According to this->, The S Model didn't begin production until 1941.

Beginning S/N in 1941 is:
5340000

Ending S/N in 1946:
5849000.

Given that, yours is somewhere around 1944, if I'm reading the info correctly on the linked page.

 

Think the 1940 is the year the model was introduced.

Debora

 

It may not be the same model, Debora, even though the frame looks the same. I am no expert, though, just researching. But the S/N on your resource does not seem to match any of the "M" Master Model S/Ns on the link I provided, so who knows.

 

Here are some S Models from the same site I posted above.

 

Web site's a great resource.

Debora

 

I had the same problem trying to find what model / serial matched... Thanks for the assistance!!!

 

Thanks for the info!!

 

Had similar issues nailing it down! THANKS!!!

 

Thanks for the website, Debora!!!

 

Wow! Placing my photo next to this one... Looks pretty much identical! I think the 1940 might be it, although the serial number doesn't seem to match. Perhaps the serial info on the site is incorrect...(?) Hmmm.....

 

In 1940, Underwood created a GIANT UNDERWOOD MASTER TYPEWRITER as a publicity stunt.

It was melted down a year later in 1941, because they needed the steel for the US war-effort in WWII.



Ironically, they did the same thing in 1915, and built a GIANT UNDERWOOD NO. 5 TYPEWRITER as a publicity stunt!

...it was ALSO melted down two years later in 1917, because they needed the steel for the US war-effort in WWI.

 

Did those people do a tap dance on the keys to type?

 

Those are fab!

Debora

 

Hmmmmm... I don't think that one is mine, but I WISH it was!!! Thanks for sharing!