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| The serial number is just over 2,005,000 which should date this as a 1962 model. Other than a hard platen, this typewriter performs flawlessly after application of PB Blaster. Not bad for a 50-year-old machine! |
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| The ribbon is old and will need replacement at some point as the red is really dry. The platen is as hard as a rock. |
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| This is the first time I have seen the "Made in Western Germany" statement so prominently displayed. |
Isn't this machine pretty? I have seen plenty of photos of the Olympia SM-7 online and honestly had not been impressed. The in-person experience is much different. As it turns out, the semi-random looking textured panel above the keyboard is well pressed metal and its look is mirrored in the bottom wedge paint - hammertone in a nice metallic grey. The paint texture is similar to the 1959 Olympia SF and the Socialite that live with my girls.
The SM-7 shape is similar to the SM-9, but has more personality. It does lack the basket shift and super-light touch that defines the SM-9. The keys appear to have the shape of the SM-3's keys with the matte texture of the SM-9's variety. These have a pleasant feel.
As nice as this machine looks, I would have left it behind had I not looked at the type bars. I love the look of Modern Congress Pica. My oldest daughter, Hannah, loves it as well and has started typing to catch up with a summer worth of activities on her blog. As for performance, it feels the same as our SM-3 machines, also with special typefaces (Italic and Professional Elite). The main difference is that those came from ebay and this looker was found in the wild. That is a satisfying experience.
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| More typewriter porn. I hope this helps some wayward SM-7s find good homes. It is a machine deserving of our affection. |
Once again, thanks to Ted Munk for posting the
NOMDA Blue Book Olympia Type Styles guide.
