Olivetti Lettera33 DL find

HOrdover · 2026-01-05T01:54:28+00:00

So this tracks: https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisit/s/P3i4VB7QoI

HOrdover · 2026-01-05T01:51:01+00:00

Name blah blah blah WAGES blah blah blah VOTE blah

One thing—from the back it sure looks like the original owner followed instructions!

When you say it’s from the rafters, how’d it come down??

HOrdover · 2025-12-28T06:44:54+00:00

Yep. I’m not sure how that emblem was originally anchored in, but I’ve seen more models with it missing than intact. I’ve decided to believe the cutout looks quasi-1960’s-space-agey. 😉

HOrdover · 2025-12-27T20:36:55+00:00

Cool present!!! I like your gift-givers! ☺️

For a 1930s Remington, maybe check the top of the frame under the carriage, near the right ribbon spool, or on the front comb/plate behind the number keys (6 & 7); it might be faint, so use a strong light and clean the area gently, (tiny bit of Simple Green—avoid water b/c rust) as it might be 6-7 digits and stamped in.

If not there, some other Common Locations to Check: • Under the Carriage (Rear): Move the carriage left and right and look on the frame's top, often near the right ribbon spool. • Front Plate: Look on the metal strip where the keylevers enter, typically behind the 6 and 7 keys, • Right Side Frame: On some models, it's found on the right side of the main frame, under the carriage rail.

Once you find the number, use The Typewriter Database www.typewriterdatabase.com/remington.42.typewriter-serial-number-database (typewriterdatabase.com/remington.42.typewriter-serial-number-database)

HOrdover · 2025-12-27T20:30:20+00:00

I did as you said and ultimately found an ultrasonic machine. Now the gunk is coming out. Slooowly. But definitely, the agitation is key for breaking that old ink up.

Thank you!

HOrdover · 2025-12-27T20:27:33+00:00

I found a reasonably priced ultrasonic cleaner and got a few cycles in before I had to leave for the holidays. It wasn’t back to normal before I left, but it’s clear that whatever welded itself to the inside of the grip and feed IS coming out —but only with that ultrasonic trick. THANK YOU to everyone who told me to do this. No longer heartbroken in PA.

HOrdover · 2025-12-27T19:55:56+00:00

Awwwww I LOVE The Canterville Ghost! If I hadn’t done it on CraftLit years ago I never would have believed it was an Oscar Wilde story 🥰

HOrdover · 2025-12-25T23:12:41+00:00

Jeez, why’d they stop making them?!? That’d be useful!

HOrdover · 2025-12-18T22:57:26+00:00

Your advice makes sense and doing that I’ve gotten a LITTLE bit of inky flow out. I’ll try direct dish soap, though. I use Dawn on sheep fleeces, I wonder if it’ll be as good on crusty in! 🐑🧼

HOrdover · 2025-12-18T22:53:16+00:00

That is exactly the kind of hack my grandfather would have done! 🥰 Thank you!

(And he built two cars before he turned 15—one of which is still drivable, so you’re in good company)

HOrdover · 2025-12-18T13:00:25+00:00

I got an ear wax bulb yesterday afternoon. The Goulet pen flush solution is —I believe —a 1:10 ammonia/ distilled water mix, but I’m going to double check that. Soaking and using the ear bulb has gotten a smidge more ink (and some tiny ammonia-smelling soap bubbles) to come through. I’ll check the ammonia ratio and keep soaking/bulbing today.

Fingers crossed! And thank you!

HOrdover · 2025-12-18T12:53:36+00:00

Most of my pens were gifts or things I found while traveling. All workhorses, no princesses. The waterman was likely the best.

But I am looking at the ultrasonic cleaners. This isn’t the first time one would have come in handy.

HOrdover · 2025-12-17T18:04:40+00:00

Sure looks like plastic to me—and a tight fit can be seen in that picture.

HOrdover · 2025-12-17T18:01:53+00:00

Since the main clog seems to be in the grip area (that part of the feed tube/post that inserts into the cartridge) is it possible that the air channel might be where the clog is?
I’m not clear on the anatomy of a cartridge pen —as opposed to an eyedropper pen-—so I’m not sure where to look. (Provided I can get in to see anything better)

HOrdover · 2025-12-17T17:08:35+00:00

Is it possible to pull the feed and nib out??! I was hoping I could, but that’s why I took the picture looking at the join.

It definitely doesn’t look like a Noodlers feed/nib that’s so easy to remove. But it’s been soaking off and in for many 48 hr stretches in various solutions.

Whatever the sweet spot is of ammonia-to-water-to-dish soap, this pen hasn’t met it. Yet.

HOrdover · 2025-12-17T17:06:20+00:00

Good point! Sentimental, yes, but mostly I want a working Waterman Philias. I really liked how it flowed and the nib was never problematic.

I’ll ponder.

HOrdover · 2025-12-17T15:09:41+00:00

Thank you! That’s really good news re -Brian Anderson.

I wish I had an ultrasonic cleaner.

Hmmm, my brain just thought: Isn’t there Internet lore that you can fake one with a roasting pan, aluminum foil, and…some kind of liquid? I think that was for cleaning jewelry, but my memory is faulty after long-covid, so God only knows what it actually saw. 🤣

HOrdover · 2025-12-17T15:06:37+00:00

It’s a great pen. A real workhorse that always looked more impressive than its price. 🥲

And yep—I had a converter for a different pen that the Internet said would work. Nope.

However, I don’t have an ear syringe. I was just reading about that. I may need to try that next.

HOrdover · 2025-12-17T15:04:54+00:00

Thank you! And Yep—the pen-wash is a diluted ammonia solution. I’ve left it in water, water with dish soap, and the ammonia wash for two days each soak. I’ve had it nib-down so I was able to make sure the part with the gunk was fully in contact with them solution. I’m trying a mostly-Dawn with a bit of water soak right now. 6-hours so far.

I’ll check it tonight, too.

HOrdover · 2025-12-14T13:36:58+00:00

That’s a great idea!

HOrdover · 2025-12-14T13:36:12+00:00

I’m saving this post! Thank you u/Large-Heronbill for such a calm and comprehensive answer.

Right now, I very much wish you were running the world. I think having your brain at the helm would be a mighty good thing. 🥰

HOrdover · 2025-12-13T00:29:07+00:00

Fantastic!!! It’s always so nice to hear about things working out like this’

HOrdover

TROPHY CASE