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1955 Olympia SM3 Serial # 697201 1955 Olympia SM3 typewriter, Serial # 697201 James Grooms's 1955 Olympia SM3 typewriter. 2023-12-04 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of James Grooms: 1955 Olympia SM3 Serial # 697201 This presented some challenges. The case bottom had clearly been sitting upright in some bit of water. The hinges were rusted and evidence of egress into case were obvious. A quick peak into the machine showed that the rear had some rust. This was most prominent on the tab and margin bars. However, the top 90% looked to be without any extensive corrosion. Nevertheless, a more extensive project and unable to determine functionality. Of course the rubber bushings were gone and the carriage was hitting the body. Some unusual things were done to get the spacebar level and this took some sorting out. The issues cleaned up nicely and it was obviously parked due to the bushing issue, as it appears to have not been used much.

1955 Olympia SM3 #697201

Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 12-03-2023 at 06:35PM
Last Edit: 12-04-2023 at 06:26AM

Description Hunter 13 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

This presented some challenges. The case bottom had clearly been sitting upright in some bit of water. The hinges were rusted and evidence of egress into case were obvious. A quick peak into the machine showed that the rear had some rust. This was most prominent on the tab and margin bars. However, the top 90% looked to be without any extensive corrosion. Nevertheless, a more extensive project and unable to determine functionality. Of course the rubber bushings were gone and the carriage was hitting the body. Some unusual things were done to get the spacebar level and this took some sorting out. The issues cleaned up nicely and it was obviously parked due to the bushing issue, as it appears to have not been used much.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:





Muncie Typewriter was founded in 1907. In the early 80s they were the 4th largest seller of Olympia machines in the US. They are no longer in business.
Muncie Typewriter was founded in 1907. In the early 80s they were the 4th largest seller of Olympia machines in the US. They are no longer in business.



Brass brush and 0000 steel wool. Then brushed out the inside with a soft bristle and air compressor.
Brass brush and 0000 steel wool. Then brushed out the inside with a soft bristle and air compressor.



Nothing fancy. Furniture pads and they hold the case side of the feet in place.
Nothing fancy. Furniture pads and they hold the case side of the feet in place.

#88 Small Congress.
#88 Small Congress.

Water!!! Unless you want a project, stay away. Olympia is the biggest separation between machine quality and case quality. They put their stuff in junk.
Water!!! Unless you want a project, stay away. Olympia is the biggest separation between machine quality and case quality. They put their stuff in junk.

Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)

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As with many, the bug is back there somewhere due to an Underwood No. 5. My grandfather was on a small town school board and used one for this. My parents had a yellow Royal Safari that I used to index card everything, including a beer can collection. Collection syndrome clue! The long dormant tic was activated when my neighbors left a Remington Quiet Riter on the curb when they moved in circa 2010, Yes a believe it or not story is next, when a Hermes 3000 comes home with the girlfriend from work for free. Yes, free! From there the addiction is full steam. And yes, I now have a No. 5. Typewriters are the perfect blend of using one's technical skills, history and functional purpose.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Olympia SM3 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Olympia Serial Number page and the Olympia SM3 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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