- thetypewriterman
- Key Master
Offline - From: Leiston, England
- Registered: 29-5-2013
- Posts: 900
Re: Ch-ch-changes in the Olympia SM9
Well spotted Fleetwing ! I hadn't noticed the absence of the left hand carriage release lever on post 3. I have never seen an early SM9 like that here in England. I wonder why the factory left it off ? Other differences are that the English version of this machine has '+' and '-' on the tab set and tab clear keys rather than 'Set' and 'Clear'
- JoeV
- Touch Typist
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- Registered: 11-4-2015
- Posts: 152
Re: Ch-ch-changes in the Olympia SM9
Being as how the SM model number designations weren't printed on the machines, were these "official" model numbers (as defined by Olympus) or were they ad hoc model numbers assigned after the fact by others?
That is, was there just an SM line of machines that evolved over time, and others have classified the various changes by assigning a numbering system; or was the numbering system an official Olympus nomenclature?
~Joe
- Uwe
- Moderator
Offline
- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,408
Re: Ch-ch-changes in the Olympia SM9
JoeV wrote:
Being as how the SM model number designations weren't printed on the machines, were these "official" model numbers (as defined by Olympus) or were they ad hoc model numbers assigned after the fact by others?
I've always been a fan of Olympus cameras, but as for the subject of SM designations, they're official OLYMPIA model numbers, and certainly not ones that collectors created on their own after the fact. There is plenty of documentation to support this, including model references made in owners' manuals, parts catalogues, service books and sales brochures.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- JoeV
- Touch Typist
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- Registered: 11-4-2015
- Posts: 152
Re: Ch-ch-changes in the Olympia SM9
Thanks for the clarification, Uwe.
I'm speaking more from the point of view of an owner of a used machine absent its original owner's manual. Other than referencing the machine's serial number in some obscure database, or having detailed, specialist knowledge of what distinguishes these various models one from another, the neophyte such as I has little to go on, if happening by chance upon an example at a thrift store, for instance.
At least with some other brands, they might actually indicate the model name on the outer body of the machine.
I've noticed that not all of us typewriter fans are necessarily collectors, nor do we all have the collectors' penchant or desire for storing up vast sums of archaic knowledge. With me, I'm most interested in typewriters as functional tools to be used. If, along the wayside, I gain some knowledge about the history of a brand, all the better.
That said, I do appreciate the specialist collector's detailed knowledge, and do love my SM9.
Peace,
~Joe
- Retro-Z
- Platen Punisher
Offline
- From: Central Kansas
- Registered: 25-5-2015
- Posts: 62
Re: Ch-ch-changes in the Olympia SM9
Having just gotten an SM9 myself, one of the first version (as shown in post #3 above), I wanted to comment on the statement quoted here that SM9s always had two carriage release levers. Not true on mine, and not true on the one depicted in post #3 -- both have only the one, on the right side. So it looks like that might be another differentiator among versions of the SM9, besides the location of the tab controls -- but necessarily a differentiator from the Monica model. If some of the early versions of the SM9 in fact have two carriage release levers, then that's another variant to note.
Hah! What an interesting observation. You know, I never noticed that it DIDN'T have a left side carriage-release button the entire time I owned the machine I posted pictures of in Post #3. Being right handed, I guess I only needed the carriage-release button on the right side. You are absolutely right, however. That is definitely another variation to add to the list.
Last edited by Retro-Z (27-7-2015 18:21:31)
When you aren't looking for it... you ALWAYS find it!!!
- Fleetwing
- Typewriter Talk Vet
Offline
- From: Hartford, CT USA
- Registered: 30-6-2015
- Posts: 1,006
Re: Ch-ch-changes in the Olympia SM9
So the question then becomes, are there any versions of Type 1 (i.e. the model with the white and green keys and platen knob ends, as in post #3) that have two carriage release levers?
- ztyper
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Somewhere in New Jersey
- Registered: 01-10-2014
- Posts: 773
Re: Ch-ch-changes in the Olympia SM9
I have both SM-9's and so far I have not found anything different mechanically. So then why would Olympia make two different SM-9's that are identical in every way except for one extra carriage release lever?
A high schooler with a lot of typewriters. That's pretty much about it.
- ztyper
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Somewhere in New Jersey
- Registered: 01-10-2014
- Posts: 773
Re: Ch-ch-changes in the Olympia SM9
Alright, this one concerns me just a bit.
I now have two SM-9's, one from 1965 and the other from 1967 with a script typeface. There really isn't a difference between the two, however, the second on (from 1967) lacks the silent carriage return that my 1965 one has. The '67 one is practically mint because when I got it the type-slugs were still shiny. I poked around the escapement to see if anything looked like it was missing, but everything checked out. Did Olympia make SM-9's without a silent carriage return?
Last edited by ztyper (13-8-2015 22:28:15)
A high schooler with a lot of typewriters. That's pretty much about it.
- beak
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Qld Australia
- Registered: 24-3-2013
- Posts: 912
Re: Ch-ch-changes in the Olympia SM9
I thought this would all be a bit easier to sort out when I started it!
I guess all we can do is to keep reporting variations not yet mentioned, and at some stage collate it all.
Sincerely,
beak.
- •
Thread Starter- Uwe
- Moderator
Offline
- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,408
Re: Ch-ch-changes in the Olympia SM9
the second on (from 1967) lacks the silent carriage return that my 1965 one has... Did Olympia make SM-9's without a carriage return?
I have no idea what you're referring to. Could you explain what you mean by "carriage return"?
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
