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| Imperial The Good Companion. s/n EN839, 1948 By Appointment to His Majesty King George the Fifth. This, and the following four images are at the same scale. Click any to supersize to 1000 pixels |
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| Imperial Good Companion 4. s/n 4BS401T, 1958 |
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| Imperial Good Companion 5. s/n 5A756, 1957 |
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| Imperial Good Companion 5. s/n 5G990, 1958 |
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| The Good Companion, return lever |
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| Good Companion 4, return lever |
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| Good Companion 5 serial number. Earlier model had the number on the bottom of the molding, later ones are numbered under the top cover |
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| Ribbon selector is different between earlier and later models |
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| Older and newer line-space ratchet pawls. What is the later arrow pointing to? Possible platen re-covery? The ratchet on the later model doesn't work consistently when it doesn't engage with the cog. This might be because it fouls the platen rubber. |
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| Under the hood of the Good Companion 4 |
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| Under the hood of the Good Companion 5 |
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| What lies beneath. A Good Companion 4's nether regions exposed |
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| ...and the Good Companion 5's revolutionary though more delicate undercarriage Read my spoof manual for the Good Companion 5 |
Very helpful reference photos for the differences between these machines.
ReplyDeleteI like the earlier GC5's method of showing the selected ribbon color.
I do think maybe your later GC5 had its platen re-covered and the rubber went too far. My GC5, which otherwise is similar, does have a paper gauge on the left end of the platen which is absent or covered up on yours.
Thanks Richard. Based on that, I think it is time to experiment with the scalpel! I'm scared to dismantle the platen but I should be able to get a decent cutting line with the platen in situ.
DeleteSort of tempting to become 'completist' and search out the T, 3, 6 and 7.
DeleteGreat pictures! I think I prefer the look of the 4, which seems to have gull-wing ribbon covers but actually doesn't. Is it also carriage-shifted?
ReplyDeleteThanks Adwoa, yess, like the original Good Companion, the 4 is carriage-shift. The 5 s a finger-friendly basket shift so it takes very little pressure to operate.
DeleteVery nice photos of a very nice typewriter. I really like that unique return lever.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill, there's something serpentine about it.
DeleteI love these detailed comparisons, and also the shot from the down side of the machines. In the end, it is the photographer's task to guide the observer's eyes. Typewriters offer many amazing opportunities to show details.
ReplyDeleteAll of them are really beautiful typewriters! But that GC5's return lever is absolutely amazing...
ReplyDeleteIt sticks out a long way but it is spring in both directions, so it keeps out of harm's way.
DeleteSuper comparison and photos, thank you.
ReplyDelete