1978 Olympia SM9 #5620198
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Andrew Nold (EagleJuan)
Created: 04-14-2024 at 08:46AM
Last Edit: 04-14-2024 at 08:59AM
![1978 #5620198](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g_olympia_22715_1713109577.jpg)
Description:
This typewriter is a very nice typer! It is a joy to use, with great key action and smooth margins, switches, and a snappy paper holder. It is really a perfect typewriter, and I could see this easily being the only typewriter someone would need. It came in a nice case (though rather bulky) and a manual. I spent more time trying to get this typewriter working than any other in my collection, but it is a gift- and the person receiving the typewriter wanted this exact model. Even if I was keeping this typewriter long term, the ease with which it types makes the troubleshooting time more than worth it.
The story:
I was looking for the Olympia SM9 for a long time and finally found it sitting in a thrift store in MI for 15 dollars. After bringing it home to clean and refurbish, I realized that the ribbon vibrator was not raising the ribbon, the ribbon was not advancing, and the color selector switch was jammed. I cleaned and tinkered extensively, going so far as to consider bringing the typewriter to a shop (because having this exact model working is important). Seeing that a typewriter shop would cost hundreds of dollars, I started tinkering with renewed vigor and finally found that two pawls had become tangled on the ribbon advance gear, leading to all the problems. I will add a link to the YouTube video in which I explain the problem/fix better.
Typeface Specimen:
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/tolympia_22715_1713109578.jpg)
Links:
Photos:
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163896_1713110046.jpeg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163897_1713110047.jpeg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163898_1713110048.jpeg)
![This mystery service sticker is not neat enough for me to understand what was replaced. This mystery service sticker is not neat enough for me to understand what was replaced.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163899_1713110049.jpeg)
![This + - lever is located under the left ribbon spool. I am not sure what it does. This + - lever is located under the left ribbon spool. I am not sure what it does.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163900_1713110051.jpeg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163901_1713110051.jpeg)
![This extendable paper holder pops up when you press a button. It works great- much better than any other typewriter with a similar feature. This feels well build and heavy duty. This extendable paper holder pops up when you press a button. It works great- much better than any other typewriter with a similar feature. This feels well build and heavy duty.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163902_1713110053.jpeg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163903_1713110054.jpeg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163904_1713110055.jpeg)
![The case feels large and too bulky, but is correctly sized. The case feels large and too bulky, but is correctly sized.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163905_1713110323.jpeg)
![The typewriter sits in a nice plastic retainer. It is a study case. The typewriter sits in a nice plastic retainer. It is a study case.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163906_1713110324.jpeg)
![Typewriter layout diagram from the Olympia SM manual included in case. Typewriter layout diagram from the Olympia SM manual included in case.](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g22715_163907_1713110365.jpeg)
Hunter: Andrew Nold (EagleJuan)
Andrew Nold's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/member_6324_1638729916.png)
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 459
Collecting and Fixing Typewriters: A hobby that really is just an excuse to write more letter to a friend.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Olympia SM9 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Olympia Serial Number page and the Olympia SM9 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.