In the 1970s, there were two models of Royal Portable Typewriters that were sold under the name "Precision Portable." These models were the Sabre and the Custom III, both of which are based on the design of the Futura. These models stayed in production until the early 1980s, which is remarkable. considering the fact that the basic design goes back to 1958. The Sabre came in a choice of colors: Avocado, or Blue.
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A late-model Precision Portable, the Custom IV, most likely from the 1980s. Notice the different keys, which look like they should have come off of a Hermes or Olympia typewriter. They are, in fact, the same type of keys used on the Royal Safari II (Portugal), due to the fact that Royal outsourced their production of portable typewriters, beginning in the late 1960s. Also, notice the absence of the Litton Industries logo. For comparison, a Royal Custom III is below:
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Notice that the keytops are a different color and type, and the presence of a Litton Industries logo, which is to the right of the "Royal" lettering. Also, notice the strange-looking carriage-return lever, which was only found on the Custom series of portables, and the Empress office typewriter. Below is a Royal Sabre, with the standard portable carriage-return lever, which debuted on the Futura:
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On the Sabre, the imitation-leather panel is replaced with a chrome, silver, and woodgrained panel.
Here is another variant of the 890's body:
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It is a Messa 5000, with a French keyboard. Messa was the company who built Royal portables in the 1970s. Also, notice that the keytops are the same style as on the Custom IV. However, notice the absence of the symbols in place of the words "Margin Release," "Backspace," and the fact that the TAB key is not red, and says "Column" on it.
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Another Messa 5000. There was a wide-carriage version called the Messa 6000. The Messa 5000 came in Red, Blue, and Green.
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And here's one with a strange keyboard. It hink it may be the Portugese keyboard layout?
The reason that the ribbon cover is a different color than the sides is simple: on the Portugese-made Royals, (and Messas) the ribbon cover is metal, and the side panels are plastic.
Below is a late-model Royal Telstar typewriter, with the inevitable scratch caused by the folding carriage-return lever:
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A late-model Precision Portable, the Custom IV, most likely from the 1980s. Notice the different keys, which look like they should have come off of a Hermes or Olympia typewriter. They are, in fact, the same type of keys used on the Royal Safari II (Portugal), due to the fact that Royal outsourced their production of portable typewriters, beginning in the late 1960s. Also, notice the absence of the Litton Industries logo. For comparison, a Royal Custom III is below:
Notice that the keytops are a different color and type, and the presence of a Litton Industries logo, which is to the right of the "Royal" lettering. Also, notice the strange-looking carriage-return lever, which was only found on the Custom series of portables, and the Empress office typewriter. Below is a Royal Sabre, with the standard portable carriage-return lever, which debuted on the Futura:
On the Sabre, the imitation-leather panel is replaced with a chrome, silver, and woodgrained panel.
Here is another variant of the 890's body:
It is a Messa 5000, with a French keyboard. Messa was the company who built Royal portables in the 1970s. Also, notice that the keytops are the same style as on the Custom IV. However, notice the absence of the symbols in place of the words "Margin Release," "Backspace," and the fact that the TAB key is not red, and says "Column" on it.
Another Messa 5000. There was a wide-carriage version called the Messa 6000. The Messa 5000 came in Red, Blue, and Green.
And here's one with a strange keyboard. It hink it may be the Portugese keyboard layout?
The reason that the ribbon cover is a different color than the sides is simple: on the Portugese-made Royals, (and Messas) the ribbon cover is metal, and the side panels are plastic.
Below is a late-model Royal Telstar typewriter, with the inevitable scratch caused by the folding carriage-return lever:
