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Home » Olympia » SG3 » 1977 #7-3996371
1977 Olympia SG3 Serial # 7-3996371 1977 Olympia SG3 typewriter, Serial # 7-3996371 Fumitaka Hayashi's 1977 Olympia SG3 typewriter. 2026-06-15 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Fumitaka Hayashi: 1977 Olympia SG3 Serial # 7-3996371 A later model Olympia SG3.

The innards are apparently different than the earlier SG3s. I know for certain the mechanism for unlocking the carriage for tool-less removal is different. Rather than a yellow lever you flip, this one has two latches you pull forward - which were initially hard to discover as they are the same color as the rest of the mechanism.

When I received it, it needed some work. The left margin button was cracked. I was able to glue it back together. The left platen knob was bent. It responded to 'percussive maintenance'. The back feet screws were bent, so were replaced. And the usual sticky typebars that responded to irrigation with mineral spirits.

This is a large, noisy typewriter. Very solid. Might be a candidate for a repaint, as the cosmetics are not great. It's also missing the extension to the paper table on the back.

I imagine these were being quickly outclassed by Selectrics.

This one was acquired from Jim in Hazlet, NJ. I had gone to pick up this typewriter for $40, but somehow it ended up being 3 typewriters for $20. Though he collects, he was mainly thinning out his departed uncle's stockpile of typewriters from his repair shop.

1977 Olympia SG3 #7-3996371

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)
Created: 06-14-2026 at 09:13AM
Last Edit: 06-15-2026 at 05:25PM


Description:

A later model Olympia SG3.

The innards are apparently different than the earlier SG3s. I know for certain the mechanism for unlocking the carriage for tool-less removal is different. Rather than a yellow lever you flip, this one has two latches you pull forward - which were initially hard to discover as they are the same color as the rest of the mechanism.

When I received it, it needed some work. The left margin button was cracked. I was able to glue it back together. The left platen knob was bent. It responded to 'percussive maintenance'. The back feet screws were bent, so were replaced. And the usual sticky typebars that responded to irrigation with mineral spirits.

This is a large, noisy typewriter. Very solid. Might be a candidate for a repaint, as the cosmetics are not great. It's also missing the extension to the paper table on the back.

I imagine these were being quickly outclassed by Selectrics.

This one was acquired from Jim in Hazlet, NJ. I had gone to pick up this typewriter for $40, but somehow it ended up being 3 typewriters for $20. Though he collects, he was mainly thinning out his departed uncle's stockpile of typewriters from his repair shop.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

#87 Elite, not sure what the 8.5 refers to.  I have an SM9 with the same #87, and that one has 6.5 instead.   This one appears 12 cpi, and the 6.6 marked one appears to be 11 cpi...
#87 Elite, not sure what the 8.5 refers to. I have an SM9 with the same #87, and that one has 6.5 instead. This one appears 12 cpi, and the 6.6 marked one appears to be 11 cpi...







The L shape bar in the center is one of the two levers for unlocking the carriage.  You push both left and right levers forward and down to lock it in the 'unlocked' position, and you can lift out the carriage.
The L shape bar in the center is one of the two levers for unlocking the carriage. You push both left and right levers forward and down to lock it in the 'unlocked' position, and you can lift out the carriage.

Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)

Fumitaka Hayashi's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1037

Trying very hard to be more judicious in my acquisitions...

I like interesting typefaces. I like tinkering with my acquisitions to make them work.



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