This is a Guest Post from Typewriter Hunter “Akai Samurai” who has found evidence to confirm the existence of the Moskva Model 1, and forwarded this info for publication/reference and to justify a change to the Age List on TWDB. Enjoy!
Recently I got a hold of a very rare typewriter – The Moskva Model 1 serial number 724. (coming to the gallery as soon as I finish some minor repairs)
Knowing how unique that thing is, I was trying to search for more info. I stumbled upon the fact that the typewriter database states that Model 1 never entered production and groups Model 1 and 2 Typewriters as the same one but different versions.
This is a mistake and I can prove it by these documents I’ve found online while doing my research.
All pre-war Moskva typewriter machines are Model – 1, and they have been produced at least since 1937. (1936 being the year that the factory was established). They all have rhombus stickers on front, metal covers above the strikers (key-holding thingys) as well as embossed logo. Early units have white keyboards and simple spacebars, 5 screws on the back without factory logos, while later ones have a redesigned spacebar key, 4 screws on the back and black keys overall. BTW keys are surprisingly not glass-covered, but plastic. Typical soviet cutting-corner technique…also typical is that the design was updated through the whole production step by step.
This is my first discovery. The Moskva Model – 1 that was up for sale with it’s original papers. 
Here’s a brief translation of the most important things.
Passport #668
Typewriter Serial #2184
Make – Moskva
Model – 1
26 September 1940
The picture in the front depicts a Model – 1 typewriter with stickers.
Now, so far this is the only unit documented to have a surviving passport. I’m almost sure they have been lost because the suitcase is pretty basic and does not have a holder. I’m hunting for more machines in the meantime and reading through thousands of 1936-1937 soviet newspapers online, but that is an incredible finding.
Now to make them stand out from post-war Model 2.
All Model 2 units feature pretty much the same design to Model 1, both visually and mechanically, however, they all have enamel pins (with tons of color options) instead of stickers and no embossed logos. Also, the bell is different as well as minor parts changed and simplified (I’m currently restoring 3 units myself).
I have found a couple of Model – 2 units for sale with original papers still intact that prove they are indeed Model 2. 
Here’s a brief translation of the most important things.
Passport #4055
Typewriter Serial #20863
Make – Moskva
Model – 2
9 October 1949 
Here’s a brief translation of the most important things.
Passport #1352
Typewriter Serial #17991
Make – Moskva
Model – 2
10 April 1949 
Here’s a brief translation of the most important things.
Passport #2084
Typewriter Serial #31930
Make – Moskva
Model – 2
14 April 1951
What makes no sense to me is low numbers of passports compared to Typewriter serials, as well as some mixup, this is kind of unusual for soviet things to be honest. But at the same time, not really surprising…
I hope that this letter reaches you and you will be able to correct things on the website :)
Being pretty much the first mass-produced Russian typewriter, it’s important for history.
Also, some of the gallery listings of Model 2 on the website currently have wrong data, simply because users didn’t bother filling it up. I could correct that too if needed.
Editor’s note: I’ve asked him to comment on the galleries that need correction, and hopefully get some other collectors who know these machines well to join in and agree on the new evidence & enhance the clarity of the Moskva typewriter’s history. It does seen clear enough to make some changes to the Age List’s info, so I’ll be doing that shortly. (: