The Olympia SMs
If you’ve ever wondered how all those Olympia SMs are different from each other, here’s a list of features of each one to help.
SM1 (1949-1950)
carriage shift
no tabs
carriage release right side only
no touch lever adjustment
no spring cushioned keys
oldest design, ribbon cover opens forward
SM2 (1950-1961)
carriage shift
no tabs
carriage release right side only
touch lever adjustment in later years
spring cushioned keys on some models
old design, ribbon cover opens toward the back
SM3 (1952-1960)
carriage shift
manual tabs in back
carriage release right side only
touch lever adjustments
spring cushioned keys
old design
SM4 (1958-1962)
carriage shift
key set tabulator
carriage release both sides
touch lever adjustments
spring cushioned keys
old design
SM5 (1960-1964)
carriage shift
manual tabs in back
carriage release right side only
no touch lever adjustments
no spring cushioned keys
old design
only in white
SM7 (1960-1964)
carriage shift
key set tabulator
carriage release both sides
touch lever adjustment in most models
no spring cushioned keys
new angular design (with large plastic cover above keys)
SM8 (1964-1979)
basket shift
manual tabs in back
carriage release right side only
no touch lever adjustment
no spring cushioned keys
new angular design
SM9 (1964-1979)
basket shift
key set tabulator
carriage release on both sides after 1966
touch lever adjustments
no spring cushioned keys
new angular design
