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1958 Olympia SM3 Serial # 1279338 1958 Olympia SM3 typewriter, Serial # 1279338 Chris Aldrich's 1958 Olympia SM3 typewriter. 2024-09-02 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Chris Aldrich: 1958 Olympia SM3 Serial # 1279338 Picked up from Facebook Marketplace for a fair price. (I was outbid by a large amount, but the person never picked it up, so the seller circled back to me after two weeks of patient waiting.)

It was stored in an attic near Newport Beach, CA for decades, so the finish on the case is way off and the fittings on the case have significant rust, though it did come with a key and functioning lock. It definitely has the typical issue with the squished rubber bushings on the rear/bottom of the body. I suspected an 11 CPI face and knew it had a variety of math symbols on the keyboard, but I was surprised to discover that it has Congress Elite No. 84 typeface. Apparently the original owner was a pharmacist.

It'll take a day or two to clean up and I'll likely resurface the platen on it which is about as hard and dreadful as I've ever seen. Somehow the carriage lock is broken and/or disconnected, hopefully a quick fix. Otherwise seems to be in solid cosmetic and functional shape.

20 minutes after I got back from picking it up, the mailwoman brought me a couple of t-shirts I'd ordered a week or so ago.

2024-08-31 Started the process of cleaning this typewriter out to bring it back up to speed. Generally moving apace although the mixture of eraser shavings and old oil has tarnished the carriage rails. Spent some time with some metal polish trying to bring them back to their old glory. Should be able to finish flushing out tomorrow and getting it back together and properly adjusted.

2024-09-01 Another round of mineral spirits this morning to finish the final pieces off. Then spent some time putting the machine back together and making the first rounds of adjustments as I did. Spooled on some new ribbon. Has some solid luck using a white Crayola crayon to restore the white color to the etched keytops. I'll type with it for a few days to uncover any remaining quirks or required adjustments.

1958 Olympia SM3 #1279338

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Chris Aldrich (chrisaldrich)
Created: 08-03-2024 at 09:09PM
Last Edit: 09-02-2024 at 02:13PM

Description Hunter 15 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Picked up from Facebook Marketplace for a fair price. (I was outbid by a large amount, but the person never picked it up, so the seller circled back to me after two weeks of patient waiting.)

It was stored in an attic near Newport Beach, CA for decades, so the finish on the case is way off and the fittings on the case have significant rust, though it did come with a key and functioning lock. It definitely has the typical issue with the squished rubber bushings on the rear/bottom of the body. I suspected an 11 CPI face and knew it had a variety of math symbols on the keyboard, but I was surprised to discover that it has Congress Elite No. 84 typeface. Apparently the original owner was a pharmacist.

It'll take a day or two to clean up and I'll likely resurface the platen on it which is about as hard and dreadful as I've ever seen. Somehow the carriage lock is broken and/or disconnected, hopefully a quick fix. Otherwise seems to be in solid cosmetic and functional shape.

20 minutes after I got back from picking it up, the mailwoman brought me a couple of t-shirts I'd ordered a week or so ago.

2024-08-31 Started the process of cleaning this typewriter out to bring it back up to speed. Generally moving apace although the mixture of eraser shavings and old oil has tarnished the carriage rails. Spent some time with some metal polish trying to bring them back to their old glory. Should be able to finish flushing out tomorrow and getting it back together and properly adjusted.

2024-09-01 Another round of mineral spirits this morning to finish the final pieces off. Then spent some time putting the machine back together and making the first rounds of adjustments as I did. Spooled on some new ribbon. Has some solid luck using a white Crayola crayon to restore the white color to the etched keytops. I'll type with it for a few days to uncover any remaining quirks or required adjustments.

Typeface Specimen:

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Hunter: Chris Aldrich (chrisaldrich)

Chris Aldrich's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 616

Hello! I’m a Johns Hopkins trained biomedical and electrical engineer with a variety of interests in the entertainment industry, information theory, evolution, big history, genetics, signal processing, transgenetics, translational medicine, and theoretical mathematics. I’m a strong advocate of the IndieWeb movement.

I have a love for analog office equipment including library card catalogs and typewriters. As of Fall 2024, I've got a segment of 27 typewriters, mostly portable and manual models along with two Royal standards and one SMC typebar electric. I have been learning how to completely overhaul all of the machines in my collection, all of which work well aside from one or two machines which need some parts. I have a burgeoning collection of typewriter tools for continually repairing, maintaining, and upgrading my machines.

I've got more than half a dozen card catalogs including a Gaylord Bros. and a Steelcase along with several Remington Rand and some Shaw-Walkers. I've lost count of my index card collection once I passed 10,000.


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