Not so small

I was curious. Having read the entry on the "Gundka" typewriter in the Virtual Typewriter Museum (http://www.typewritermuseum.org/collection/index.php3?machine=indexgundka&cat=il), which mentions that "Die kleine Gundka" ("Little Gundka") is "a smaller version" of the Gundka, I wondered just how the models differ.

I was lucky to score one "Die kleine Gundka" on ebay. Apparently this variant is rather rare to find. Once arrived safely at my house (and I must say, German sellers always pack typewriters very very safely), I could juxtapose my new acquisition and a Gundka 5 which I had acquired some time back.

Here is what I found:

Slightly bigger case for the Gundka

The machines inside: mechanical differences, but roughly the same size.

idem

This view reveals the more solid construction of the Gundka 5.

So, on first view, my conclusion was that both models are mechanically different - the Gundka 5 being more elaborate, especially on the ribbon mechanism -, but have roughly the same size.

T. Fürtig's list of German mechanical typewriters (exclusive for members of IFHB.org) shed a different light on my question: Thomas lists Gundka models 1, 3a, 3b, 5, and 7. My "Die kleine Gundka" corresponds to the model 1 specifications: 78 signs, 18cm platen, 2 thin metal platen knobs. My Gundka 5 fits the model 5 description: 84 signs, 22cm platen (list specifies 23), 1 solid plastic platen knob, rimmed keys, bell, scale in one piece (not divided).

From this I conclude that "Die kleine Gundka" is not really smaller in dimension, but corresponds to the first Gundka model produced. An additional question would be whether there exist "Die kleine Gundka" labeled machines corresponding to Gundka models 3, 5 or 7. For the typosphere to search...

update 25.1.2015: There is one "Die kleine Gundka" corresponding to model 3a in the list mentioned, cf. http://www.prehistoriadelainformatica.com/maquinas-de-escribir-typewriters/.

Hermes Media 3 - the dividing line

... in search of the dividing line. contributions welcome. i was most happy to find these two machines at two weeks distance only - long live Hermesland.

Update 27 Sept. 2014: I forgot to add that the dividing line is the same for the Hermes 3000 and the Hermes Media 3 (it is pretty safe to assume that both variants came on the market at the same time, and share serial numbers).
Plus, we are closing in on the gap: currently, my #3'351'271 is still the highest "round" one, and D. Johnson's #3'357'754 is the lowest "boxy" one.

ok, once more:

and Rob, here's the hood: