Goodwill hunting over the weekend yielded an Olivetti Studio 46 (made in Spain; metal shell so later 70s (?)). Saw a case that could almost have held a power saw or drill set -- plastic and square -- but upon inspection I found the typewriter, in really nice condition, with the instructions, unfilled out warranty card and vinyl cover, which seems to have never been used. Same can be said for the typewriter itself. $45, which was more than I had on hand in cash, and maybe a little more than I wanted to pay, but its condition and accessories convinced me. Came back the next day, fingers crossed that it was still there. I was kicking myself for a couple of seconds when I didn't see it immediately, it was still there. Went to the register and was really stoked when it rung up as "bric-a-brac" for $22.50 -- so I could have bought it when I first saw it!

Ribbon is pretty dry but everything else seems very smooth, tight and new. Looking forward to getting more acquainted with it.

The serial number on the Studio 45 is stamped into the right hand side of the machine's frame, facing the outside.  I'm pretty sure that it would be the same for the Studio 46.

No, you don't have to remove the shell---that would defeat a major purpose of having serial numbers, quick identification, like in an office or police evidence locker. If they exist, they'll be visible straightaway or behind a normally movable part. My note for my Studio 45 says, "on =12pxframe behind right spool". Might be similar on a 46. I agree, I don't get why manufacturers hide them so well, but they never require dismantling.p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana}

Nope, no serial number that I can see. Maybe it's blocked behind the shell, but as noted above, that wouldn't make sense.

Fleetwing wrote:

Nope, no serial number that I can see. Maybe it's blocked behind the shell, but as noted above, that wouldn't make sense.

Given your experience, if you can't find one it's possible that there isn't one. I've read reports from a number of collectors who couldn't find a serial number on their Studio 46 either. I'm sure there's an explanation for this. Could it be that Olivetti used serial number stickers like can be found on some Japanese machines for some of the Studio 46 production run? Could those stickers - if that was the case - have been removed or fallen off over the years? Could the fact it was made in Spain have any bearing on all of this?