"It appears to me to be a bit light, perhaps, which might be consistent with older manual typewriter."
As I mentioned, I have an Underwood from the 40s/50s and I assure you that you have to almost type with your fists.
It is REALLY hard to easily [and consistently] punch the keys.
Here is a photo of one that is similar to mine. It was first patented in 1927 and superceded in the 50s by a more "portable" version that was *quite* expensive.
When my mom worked for Sinclair Oil in the 60s [yup, I'm old] she was still using a Royal brand model that was just as big and clunky as this.
She was a speed typer even on these things so she could probably have bent steel with her bare hands, if she'd wanted to...:)
Off topic.
I still have my Dad’s Royal - dates from the early 1900’s.
When I took my first typing test on an IBM Selectric, having learned on his Royal, I typed over 100 wpm as I didn’t have to PUSH the keys and had speed instead of key-force!!!
Ok - back to the topic of Kenya, which I’ve learned more about than I ever wanted to know, and frankly, forget anyone from Chicago, I’m thinking most Kenyans don’t know the history as presented on this thread.
It’s one of the things I love about Free Republic - I learn so much.