This is a Bakelite typewriter, and a truly magnificent one at that! Serial #174881 (made in Nuremberg in 1936). The design, now that I take much closer note of Tony Mindling's Norm-6 (1944) on The Typewriter Database here, is quite different, with a sloping, more open top section, as opposed to a flat, straight-edged top section with nicely matching ribbon spool covers.
(PS Tony, I haven't received your letter yet, but I like your theory!)
On somewhat calmer reflection, it seems that the original box was destroyed by Quarantine and Australia Post used a different box to very carelessly repack my valuable typewriter. The way it was dumped into the box in the repacking process strongly suggests to me that the damage to the machine was caused by Australia Post, and not in transit. I suppose I should expect nothing less of Australia Post, whose respect for other people's property is generally zip, zilch and zero.
