There is a saying among collectors: 'If you can own only one typewriter, make it an Olympia.' The SM-series portables this German firm built in the 1950s–60s are rated by many enthusiasts as the finest-feeling typewriters ever made — solid metal, superb key action, elegant lines.
History
Olympia's roots go back to Wanderer-Werke, founded in 1903 (Wanderer later became part of Audi's ancestry). It began making typewriters under the Union brand before WWI, adopted the Olympia name in the 1920s, and grew into the largest typewriter factory in the German-speaking world. In the 1930s it launched the SM series (SM = Schreibmaschine, German for typewriter), with the SM3 of the 1950s as a standout.
After WWII Germany split, and Olympia existed on both sides; the western factory at Wilhelmshaven kept building top-quality machines. The company merged into AEG in the 1970s, then Litton, and ended typewriter production in the 1980s. The SG3 office machine and SM9 portable remain collectible favourites.
What makes it special
- King of key feel — The SM series' action and precision are widely rated the best of any portable.
- Built to last — All-metal bodies and tight tolerances — still running perfectly decades on.
- Best value collectible — Far cheaper than Hermès yet top-tier quality — ideal as a daily user.
Classic models
| Model | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olympia SM1 | 1930s | Beginning of the SM series |
| Olympia SM3 | 1950s | The classic of classics |
| Olympia SM4 / SM5 | 1950s–60s | SM3 evolution |
| Olympia SM9 | 1960s | One of the best-feeling ever |
| Olympia SG3 | 1960s–70s | Top office machine |
Serial number dating (estimate)
Serial numbers give a rough production era. Precise dating needs the brand's official serial handbook.
| Period | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1930 – 1939 | Early SM series |
| 1940 – 1949 | War & early post-war |
| 1950 – 1959 | SM3 / SM4 era |
| 1960 – 1969 | SM9 / SG era |
Try it out
Want to try typing on a vintage machine or estimate a serial number? Both are free, in your browser.
More brands: Olivetti, Remington, Royal, Smith-Corona, Hermès, Olympia, IBM Selectric.