5 Matching Annotations
  1. Jan 2026
    1. What's the diameter of the central hole? Checking if it's 4,5, or 6mm will help a lot in identifying which type of spool it is.

      Could be made by some ribbon company like Alpad who sold Olivetti compatible ribbons/spools.

      6mm diameter center holes on spools are indicative of a Gr4 typewriter spool.

      via u/Koponewt at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1qcocn1/does_anyone_recognise_this_spool/

  2. Oct 2024
  3. Aug 2024
    1. The three most common typewriter spools:

      • GR1 (Group 1)

        • Used by most German machines.
        • Sometimes known as DIN 2103 or 32 755.
        • 50-54mm Diameter.
        • 5mm center hole.
        • Usually 1, 3, 4, or 6 round drive holes.
      • GR4 (Group 4)

        • Used by Olivetti and some other Italian machines.
        • Early models require a separate spool nut to fasten.
        • 50-52mm Diameter.
        • 6mm center hole.
        • 3 rectangular or half-moon drive holes.
      • GR9 (Group 9)

        • Used by most Japanese machines after 1970, Hermes, some portable models from Royal and Underwood, and Olympias made for the US market.
        • 51mm / 2" Diameter.
        • 4mm center hole.
        • Usually 1, 4, 6 or 8 round drive holes.

      via u/Koponewt