Typewriter Talk / Please help identify typewriter

**Posted by nick** 12-3-2017 00:45:03

This is a bombed typewriter in the 1994 Buenos Aires AMIA attack. It is a Yiddish typewriter. I'd appreciate help on identifying the year and model.

**Posted by SoucekFan** 12-3-2017 02:08:23

It is an Olivetti M. I am not sure which M model number.

**Posted by SoucekFan** 12-3-2017 02:22:34

I think it is a 1930's Olivetti M40.

**Posted by Uwe** 12-3-2017 21:11:33

Wow, how did you get your hands on that machine? I can't tell from that photo, but it looks like most of the keys and type slugs are still intact, so there might be the potential to swap them onto a standard typeset Olivetti if you wanted to convert a machine.

**Posted by Fleetwing** 13-3-2017 09:03:17

My guess is that this is a museum exhibit or other display.

**Posted by nick** 13-3-2017 11:43:23

Yes, it is at a museum. I got the picture online. But since Yiddish typewriters are rare, I'm trying to hunt down everyone I can and identify the year as best as possible. To confirm what others have said, the Hebrew writing on front does say Olivetti M40. I'm curious if others can narrow down the time frame a little more to be more specific than just 1930s. Early 30s? Late 30s?

**Posted by Uwe** 13-3-2017 16:20:50

nick wrote:
...narrow down the time frame a little more to be more specific than just 1930s.

Based on what few details of the machine are left, I would say it was made between late-1930 and mid-1936. It's definitely not a 1937 or later model. Maybe someone more familiar with the M40 can narrow it down further, but without a serial number that would be my best guess.