Real type-writers wear black. Our Royal Model KHM happily complies. At the Johnstown Type-Writer Conservatory, we are nothing if not traditionalists, and nothing suits the classic type-writer like the traditional glossy, black lacquer finish. Like the classic type-writer itself, the black lacquer finish is both iconic and authentic. It survives the baseless whims of fashion change and is still preferred by collectors today. We were also fortunate to procur an original instruction manual (see photo at right) to keep our KHM company while on display. With serial number KHM-2236448, our Black Beauty dates to l938, just before Royal changed the model line and introduced their New Number One model, or KMM, in black/gray crinkle paint, which became all the fashion in the forties when everything was painted to look like a battleship or a drab government office. Nevertheless, nothing creates excitement for a type-writer like basic black.

Always ahead of the pack, Royal had been equipping its office machines with adjustable touch control since the Model l0 was introduced during The Great War. Here you can see the nickled dial of the touch control protruding from the below the bottom middle of the back of the machine (see photo at right). An indicator on the right side of the machine (see below) displayed the touch setting.





Our machine has a bit of a story to it. We found it on a ebay auction whose vendor was Good Will Industries of the Conemaugh Valley located here in Johnstown. After a phone call to Good Will, we were allowed to come pick up the machine in person, once we were declared the winner of the auction, of course. This was, obviously, to save shipping charges and the ever present possibility that the type-writer would be damaged in shipment. Cheated out of the their shipping fee by our proximity, Good Will still had a trick up their sleeve to "anally examine" a public service institution like ourselves. For picking up the machine we were charged a "surcharge" of $l.50. The machine itself was in a deplorable, but not irredeemable, condition, being, for the most part, extremely filthy. We also found the machine was lacking a line lock mechanism. To repair the line lock we purchased a line lock bail (see photo at left) and a line lock linkage (see photo at right) from a parts machine, model KMM, in possession of Keystone Typewriter Co. of Johnstown. We adapted the spring from a ball point pen to serve as the line lock bail spring (see photo below).


The line lock bail (between the index finger and thumb in the photo above left) is pulled back by the line lock linkage (indicated by the pencil point in the photo above right), which runs up the right side of the machine, when the carriage reaches the right margin. The bail prevents downward travel of the keys so that there is no overstriking when the carriage is stopped at the right margin stop. The line lock bail spring pulls the bail out of the way of the keys when the carriage releases the linkage. Although it's still a bit quirky and requires adjustment from time to time, we now have a serviceable line lock mechanism for this machine.

To clean the machine, we disassembled the case and removed all rubber, including the platen and feed rollers. In an outdoor setting, we literally "hosed" the machine with G-96 Gun Scrubber, the Conservatory's cleaning solvent of choice. We then let the machine dry and as much of the solvent as possible evaporate in direct sunlight. Re-assembling the machine and installing the new line lock mechanism brought the type-writer up to specs. We could find no pitting on any of her nickel plating.


 

The Model KHM is a true classic in every sense of the word, and, in the opinion of the Conservatory, a staple and enhancement for any collection worthy of the name. In period and style she's complemented by the Conservatory's Model "O" and Junior portables. The feel and response of the KHM's keys is unmatched by any of her contemporaries or competitors. When typing, you can literally "fly." We find this to be true of almost all office size Royals. We urge all collectors to obtain their own KHM. You won't be disappointed. We are also in possession of a KHM with an 18 inch carriage.