Royal 602/603

[kirbyclassiciii]

Hi,

Is it true that the 603 is little more than a 602, but with a standard belt cover plate on it instead of the Adjust-O-Rite plate, like the 601 before it? Unlike the 601, however, it uses throw-away bags (also model 602).

Thank you,



Ben

 

[hygiene903]

I Think You're Right, Ben

The 602 replaced the 601, and the 603 replaced the 602. All basically the same machine, but seems Royal changed model numbers every time there was even a minor engineering change--that's why so many different models are so similar, and why so many parts will interchange, and why there are so many model numbers that I haven't even heard of.
Jeff

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Jeff,

I remember the 602 actually continued into the early 1980s, and the 603 did exist from the late '60s into the early '70s. I've seen pre-1970 603s as well as 602s going into the mid '80s.

You actually have a 602 dated March 1981, and it is one of the 75th Anniversary versions.

Below is a photograph of a nameplate to a pre-1970 model 603. This one, serial #603-23067, has a revised list of patents, to include two that were issued during the spring of 1969 (3,437,424 and 3,444,582) - which makes this example one of the last ones to not have a datable serial #.

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Another 603 - In Dark Blue (Very Early Model)

Here's another model 603 all done up in dark blue. The serial # on this pre-1970 example is quite low.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

And This 603's Serial # Is...

Again, it is a very low one... looks like #603-9103. The 1969-issued patents (both filed on November 26, 1965) are not mentioned yet, which makes this example appear to date from before 1966.