Typewriter Talk / In-Coming Olympia SKM Manual Typewriter...

**Posted by Pete E.** 03-6-2024 13:01:14

Have this 197x-made Olympia SKM on its way to our home.

This is the manual-version of the Olympia SKE electric machine (aka Report Electric) which was initially made in Germany and later in Japan.

This in-coming SKM is also made in Germany.

It does not have its hard plastic case, but does have its Olympia vinyl dust-cover.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 03-6-2024 18:47:15

And here are a couple of photos of my Olympia SKE (electric) made in 1974... for comparison.

I did give its ribbon cover a new colour and peel & stick felt on its underside.
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**Posted by thetypewriterman** 04-6-2024 05:32:33

The SKM was Olympia's attempt at getting a share of the Adler Special's market, i.e. a lightweight office typewriter. It is essentially a 13" carriage SM9 in a larger casing. It almost certainly wouldn't have come with a carry case because it is an 'office' machine. Just a silver plastic soft cover.

**Posted by Pete E.** 04-6-2024 11:09:47

Hi Tom,

You're right about that 13" carriage and being a "desk-top" machine.

My SKE did come with a plastic case and molded insert-base because it only has an 11" carriage.

Here is a photo before I painted its ribbon cover.

When I get the SKM home and serviced, I will do some comparison photos with my SKE to test my theory that the SKE has its roots within the SKM...or not.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 05-6-2024 10:10:02

A pdf-file copy was posted up on Richard Polt's web site for User Manuals.

It is just a sales brochure...not a manual.

At the bottom, right hand corner is says " Printed In USA 1969 ".

Here is the link to the pdf-file for better clarity :

https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/OlympiaSKMbrochure.pdf
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**Posted by Pete E.** 05-6-2024 16:47:52

Mulling over some possible ribbon-cover colour(s)...
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**Posted by Pete E.** 05-6-2024 17:06:58

Interesting...based on some Gallery photos of the TWDB web site, by 1978, these SKM switched to a dark-grey ribbon-cover colour and the label on the lower back panel indicates "Made in United Kingdom".
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**Posted by thetypewriterman** 06-6-2024 04:27:15

That will be the former Olympia adding machine factory in Ireland that also made the last Olympia Monicas with the plastic casing. I never did find out exactly where that factory was.

**Posted by AndrewP** 06-6-2024 10:12:08

thetypewriterman wrote:
That will be the former Olympia adding machine factory in Ireland that also made the last Olympia Monicas with the plastic casing. I never did find out exactly where that factory was.

According to wikipedia and some forums on the internet, it was in Belfast on Boucher road from 1969 to around 1977.

**Posted by Pete E.** 06-6-2024 11:03:33

Hi Andrew and Tom,

I think the Belfast location just might be it.

There is a large industrial lot/complex that has been transformed into the "Olympia Leisure Center" on 55 Boucher Road that is using signage that sure looks familiar.

And several of the streets around this complex use "Olympia" as part of their names.
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