According to the TWDB, the Torpedo 30 was produced between the years 1958 and 1962. But given that the serial number on mine (1524295) goes beyond the range of numbers for 1962 (1506001-1516000), do I have something later?
There are at least two Torpedo 30 variants. This one …
And ones like this Torpedo 30 listed on eBay (at the time of going to press) by a German seller …
The German seller provided a serial number that dates his to 1959 …
Note the “dog-leg” carriage return lever …
And then take a look at the (more basic) carriage return lever on mine …
The green machine has tombstone keytops …
Whereas the keytops on mine are thicker and squarer, and not unlike the keytops on my Remington Senior-Riter (AKA Torpedo 18) …
Wonderfully snappy, as you’d expect of a Torpedo, but this typewriter has more rattle than my Senior-Riter (and my Imperial Good Companion 5) and also suffers from a ratchety carriage return. Symptoms of a slightly cheaper build quality if I’m any judge.
The ribbon cover flips open when you depress two levers at either side of the front underside of the machine. It’s a very pleasingly simplistic design.
Here’s the back of the green machine …
Oh dear …
… it seems I’m missing a rear plate …
Dealer sticker adds interest though …
The German seller of the green machine provided a type sample …
… so I thought I’d follow suit …
Adding to my feelings of incompleteness, the German seller has a manual and (quite probably) a faux leather case.
Not the best Torpedo in the world, but still better than your average portable typewriter.
E.T.ZONE 
Congrats on the find. Looking forward to seeing it. 🙂
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I just snapped up one of these on eBay, with a Venezuelan keyboard. Seems to be the earlier style.
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I want to type on there. (Liz Lemon)
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oh, also note that the source for the Torpedo 30 numbers is Schramm 1962, so the T30 probably didn’t end production in 1962, that’s just the last year they had numbers for in 1962. You can extrapolate up pretty easily by estimating how many were made each year and adding new ranges above 1962.
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What a great line of typers.
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Yea, I’d even be willing to learn to use a QWERTZ keyboard just to own one of those.
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so handsome! If I ever find a Torpedo in a high desert thrift store, I’ll snatch it fast. 😀
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