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1960 Olympia SM4 Serial # 1639788 1960 Olympia SM4 typewriter, Serial # 1639788 Nick Stokes's 1960 Olympia SM4 typewriter. 2014-05-07 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Nick Stokes: 1960 Olympia SM4 Serial # 1639788 Green colour, has a case in nice condition, 10 pitch Pica #97 type style.

Good condition internally - zero rust that I could locate - and everything works nicely. During initial testing, I did notice some odd behaviour with some of the keys: the corresponding typebars weren't hitting the platen (not that I can blame them - it is rock hard). I peered within, air-can in hand, and found not only some eraser crumbs but a whole bloody eraser stuck in there! I got the stubborn pink blighter out and found that it was almost vitrified, it was so old.

The shell is in for a jolly good cleaning tomorrow along with all the other icky bits on the outside. I can only surmise that some previous owner got everything in its current state by typing largely while slathered with used engine oil. I shall therefore immerse myself in de-greaser before endeavouring to clean the thing.

Update: I installed the reinvigorated platen from JJ Short and added a new type sample to the picture gallery. It types much better now: crisper text, a vastly reduced noise level, and the side-benefit of not needing to use a heavy force setting to get a good impression. It's like a whole new machine!

Happy typing!

1960 Olympia SM4 #1639788

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Nick Stokes (ndstokes)
Created: 03-15-2014 at 08:04PM
Last Edit: 05-07-2014 at 04:36PM

Description Hunter 9 Photos 6 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Green colour, has a case in nice condition, 10 pitch Pica #97 type style.

Good condition internally - zero rust that I could locate - and everything works nicely. During initial testing, I did notice some odd behaviour with some of the keys: the corresponding typebars weren't hitting the platen (not that I can blame them - it is rock hard). I peered within, air-can in hand, and found not only some eraser crumbs but a whole bloody eraser stuck in there! I got the stubborn pink blighter out and found that it was almost vitrified, it was so old.

The shell is in for a jolly good cleaning tomorrow along with all the other icky bits on the outside. I can only surmise that some previous owner got everything in its current state by typing largely while slathered with used engine oil. I shall therefore immerse myself in de-greaser before endeavouring to clean the thing.

Update: I installed the reinvigorated platen from JJ Short and added a new type sample to the picture gallery. It types much better now: crisper text, a vastly reduced noise level, and the side-benefit of not needing to use a heavy force setting to get a good impression. It's like a whole new machine!

Happy typing!

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

See what's missing?
See what's missing?

Dirt gone :-) , platen gone :-(
Dirt gone :-) , platen gone :-(

There's the platen rod.
There's the platen rod.


I believe that's the original felt - it's weathered the years well!
I believe that's the original felt - it's weathered the years well!

Typebasket looks nice, slugs are spotless. It's amazing how much you can do with a toothbrush, a dental pick, and a jewellers' loupe.
Typebasket looks nice, slugs are spotless. It's amazing how much you can do with a toothbrush, a dental pick, and a jewellers' loupe.

She's all ready for her new platen now. :-)
She's all ready for her new platen now. :-)

Fresh rubber from JJ Short. Mmm - love the new platen smell! I'll pop it in when I clear a space to work, which is easier said than done.
Fresh rubber from JJ Short. Mmm - love the new platen smell! I'll pop it in when I clear a space to work, which is easier said than done.

I typed that yesterday, and guess what... I saw another fox today, but this one was just a pup. Still no recumbent dogs, however.
I typed that yesterday, and guess what... I saw another fox today, but this one was just a pup. Still no recumbent dogs, however.

Hunter: Nick Stokes (ndstokes)

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Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 114

I'm a mathematics teacher and I enjoy old technologies.


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