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1969 Olympia SM9 Serial # 3828956 1969 Olympia SM9 typewriter, Serial # 3828956 Fumitaka Hayashi's 1969 Olympia SM9 typewriter. 2026-05-23 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Fumitaka Hayashi: 1969 Olympia SM9 Serial # 3828956 Yet another Olympia, this time a first-generation SM9, before they changed the body to the more squared-off design.

The serial number shows it was built in 1969, which was the year they made the model change, so it must have been some of the last ones made with the old body style.

When I first acquired it, there were a few problems. The carriage was very sluggish, but this cleared up with just a bit of mineral spirits. The left side ribbon spool retention finger was bent. I bent it back into shape. The imprint was blurry - there was a loose spring on the bottom, and re-affixing this fixed this.

After this, there was a consistent flaw in how the ribbon reverse mechanism was working. After long examination and poking around, I found another loose spring. Putting this back, as well as mild 'forming' of presumably bent components seem to improve the function of the ribbon reverse.

Otherwise, the typewriter itself is in fair shape. There are a few dings on the body where the carriage return bar would hit if you try to use it without first pulling it up from the storage position. The rubber body washers that are known to degrade look to be in good shape, as are the feet.

This one was purchased locally in West New York (which is in New Jersey) off of Facebook Marketplace. The lady said she is selling it for a elderly client who lives in Queens, NY. There seems to be very little wear, suggesting it was not used much.

1969 Olympia SM9 #3828956

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)
Created: 05-23-2026 at 12:12PM
Last Edit: 05-23-2026 at 12:12PM

Description Hunter 10 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Yet another Olympia, this time a first-generation SM9, before they changed the body to the more squared-off design.

The serial number shows it was built in 1969, which was the year they made the model change, so it must have been some of the last ones made with the old body style.

When I first acquired it, there were a few problems. The carriage was very sluggish, but this cleared up with just a bit of mineral spirits. The left side ribbon spool retention finger was bent. I bent it back into shape. The imprint was blurry - there was a loose spring on the bottom, and re-affixing this fixed this.

After this, there was a consistent flaw in how the ribbon reverse mechanism was working. After long examination and poking around, I found another loose spring. Putting this back, as well as mild 'forming' of presumably bent components seem to improve the function of the ribbon reverse.

Otherwise, the typewriter itself is in fair shape. There are a few dings on the body where the carriage return bar would hit if you try to use it without first pulling it up from the storage position. The rubber body washers that are known to degrade look to be in good shape, as are the feet.

This one was purchased locally in West New York (which is in New Jersey) off of Facebook Marketplace. The lady said she is selling it for a elderly client who lives in Queens, NY. There seems to be very little wear, suggesting it was not used much.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:







Not the usual case I see associated with Olympia portables.
Not the usual case I see associated with Olympia portables.

There is no hardware to affix the typewriter to the case - just two blocks of foam
There is no hardware to affix the typewriter to the case - just two blocks of foam

Wasn't 100% sure the case was Olympia branded, as there is no branding on the case - however, it has the sticker that my later SM9's case has, strongly suggesting the case is Olympia.
Wasn't 100% sure the case was Olympia branded, as there is no branding on the case - however, it has the sticker that my later SM9's case has, strongly suggesting the case is Olympia.

An Olympia branded brush, presumably to clean the slugs.
An Olympia branded brush, presumably to clean the slugs.

Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)

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

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 389

Relatively new to collecting. Would like to document my collection.

Planning on sticking to full-sized American machines so I don't spend too much on fancy European portables.


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.

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