It is hard not to be curious about the demountable typewriter. These beasts of the early 20th century is an excellent example of the ambition and ingenuity that the early typewriter designers had during this era. However for all its advances, the Demountable typewriter company would be no more by the end of the great depression, leaving nothing more than a handful of machines that are difficult to find for collectors.
Feel free to press play, to see my Vlog/demonstration of the Demountable typewriter.
The Demountable No.2 typewriter in all its glory
What the Davis brothers describe as the ‘action unit’.
A view of the keyboard, featuring the British keyboard.
I put the keyboard and type bars under the microscope, and turned up no evidence that either had been modified post manufacture. Both had the same machining marks as the other keys and bars, which implies that the post finishing techniques used at the factory were consistent.
This is the latch that releases the locks that hold the demountable together.
The right hand carriage lever, and line advance.
The left hand lever, which also line advances.
The caterpillar bearings in the carriage are a brilliant piece of engineering.
Post script: The in the dying days of the Demountable, moving the factory to Australia was seriously considered. I wonder if the presence of this machine here in Australia with keyboard that was standard to the local market, was the start of a failed venture to market and ultimately produce the machines locally. I guess we’l never know.
The Filthy Platen 
Good lord, Barry White? 😀
Amazing find!
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Yes! And I’ll do it again….
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Thanks for all the detail on the Demountable. I’ve seen very few of these on line and not a one live and in person.
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Yeah! You could imagine my surprise when I found one locally, hey!
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Absolutely hilarious!
The machine itself looks about as sexy as the bored-looking secretary pictured on the paper table. But in my opinion, the typing feels very good. LOUD, though!
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Quite. There’s nothing appealing to the eye on these machines. They certainly are utilitarian.
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Scott, That was great… Now, I have to get serious about getting mine cleaned up, it looks so simple.
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Thanks Richard. This machine needs a little more of a clean, but I’m pretty impressed with it.
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Haha, awesome vid and machine!
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Thanks man!
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Thanks for creating the moood, it made me chuckle. From what I’d heard of them previously I was expecting to find that Imperial’s ‘demountable’ machines would copy the Demountable but they seem quite different to each other.
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Well, I usually play music when messing with my typewriters anyway. Why not use it to set the mood. Yeah, The Imperial system isn’t quite as simple and easy to just pop apart. But that system also has its charms. If anything because it is so much lighter.
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That’s a new one to me! So “Demountable” is both a brand name and a category of typewriter? Very distinctive typeface, bags of character.
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Great video, “… can’t get enough of your demountable baby…!” Why aren’t all typewriters made like that?
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Ha ha. I like it. It’s not the most charming of machines… hence why it needed a bit of Barry to talk it up.
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Scott:
My Demountable is upset that I never played music… Very glad you found
Gee
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Well, I should send you a CD of music that I think you’re Demountable will love!
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Microscope! ❤
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Ah huh! It’s going to get a LOT of workout on this blog, I feel.
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Scott, I sold you Demountable. A little story that went with it. I injured me hand as a Probationary Constable in the NSW Police. To be confirmed as a Constable I was required to complete 60 wpm typing mistake free. The lady who was approved to assess me at Keyboard Connections typing school suggested I buy a typewriter to build my strength typing. I saw that one at a Bus Company that was winding up in early 88 and bought it. After doing a lot of after hours typing on it, I found using the Police Remingtons and the Olivettis a breeze. I passed the test doing 80 wpm and owe that Demountable my confirmation to the rank of Constable. Pleased to see it is giving you as much happiness as it gave me me. Cheers mate.
*PS great little page you have here!
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Hey Scott! Great to see you come by. And thanks for the compliment! That’s a great piece of history you wrote here. This machine has been on my typewriter desk for about two months now, and I’m pretty sure it is going to stay there. Thanks again!
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