Olympia · 1958–early 1960s
Typical used$290–$525
The Olympia SM4 is the SM3 with a keyset tabulator: tab set and clear keys sit either side of a shorter space bar, so you set stops from the keyboard rather than by hand at the back. It was introduced in 1958 and the Typewriter Database records SM4s through 1962. Inside it is the same Wilhelmshaven segment-shift mechanism as the SM3, which is why typewriter mechanics so often name the SM series when asked for one portable to buy and keep. Most SM4s have a squared-off case; some came in the older streamlined case. Pica and elite typefaces are cast on the typebars, not swappable, so get a typed sample. In late 2026 eight SM4s were on eBay at roughly $290–525 delivered, with tested machines and rare typefaces from specialist sellers at $700–850.
Buying guide
From Oct 1, 2026 listings
Eight SM4s are listed, most at $290–525 delivered; a rare-typeface machine from a specialist seller runs about $843. None is sold as serviced, and the SM4's segment lubricant hardens with age, so budget about $100 for a clean on an untested one. Check the typeface in a typed sample: pica and elite segments aren't swappable. Red flags: one listing says 'SM3 / SM4', and one has a Russian Cyrillic keyboard. Value buyers should start with the cased light-green machine at $309; even with a $100 clean it lands mid-band.
About $264 delivered with Best Offer from a 100% seller, below the $290–525 band and the cheapest listing that is clearly an SM4. It's a bare listing, so ask for a typed sample to see the typeface and whether a case is included.
Olympia Deluxe SM4 Portable Typewriter
Light green, with its case, about $309 delivered with Best Offer from a 100% seller, near the bottom of the band. $99 of that is shipping, so offer accordingly, and ask for a typed sample since it isn't listed as tested.
Vintage Olympia SM4 Portable Typewriter Light Green w/ Case West Germa
A 1959 SM4 with the rare Congress Pica No. 83 typeface from typewritermechanic, a 100% specialist seller, about $843 delivered with Best Offer. The typeface is the premium; ask whether it was serviced and for a typed sample of the full character set.
1959 Olympia SM4 Typewriter • Rare Congress Pica No 83 Typeface • Test
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 1, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ — eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
Snapshot
6 of 8 listed
Snapshot captured — listings may have ended
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 1, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ — eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
UsedOlympia Deluxe SM4 Portable Typewriter
$197.88 + $66.20 shipping
Buy It Now$197.88
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
Bare listing. Ask for a typed sample to see the typeface.
Seller: jstevens
100% positive
UsedVintage Olympia SM4 Portable Typewriter Light Green w/ Case West Germa
$210.00 + $99.10 shipping
Buy It Now$210.00
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Light green, with the case, about $309 delivered. Not described as tested.
Seller: broscro1
100% positive from 231 ratings
Used1959 Olympia SM4 Typewriter • Rare Congress Pica No 83 Typeface • Test
$799.00 + $44.39 shipping
Buy It Now$799.00
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Rare Congress Pica No. 83 typeface from a specialist seller, about $843 delivered.
Seller: typewritermechanic
100% positive from 117 ratings
UsedVintage Olympia SM3 / SM4 De Luxe Portable Typewriter – Made in West G
$105.00 + $88.69 shipping
Buy It Now$105.00
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Our take
Listed as 'SM3 / SM4'. The bodies are close; ask for the model plate.
Seller: oxiorro
100% positive from 91 ratings
UsedVintage Olympia SM4 Typewriter In Case, One Owner, Original Paperwork
$365.00 + $45.00 shipping
Buy It Now$365.00
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
One owner, with the case and original paperwork, about $410 delivered.
Seller: kat5e09
99.1% positive from 1.6K ratings
![Vintage Olympia SM4 Portable Typewriter w/ Case [Russian Cyrillic]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/tT4AAeSw131qgy9v/s-l500.jpg)
UsedVintage Olympia SM4 Portable Typewriter w/ Case [Russian Cyrillic]
$340.00 + $99.10 shipping
Buy It Now$340.00
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Russian Cyrillic keyboard — not for English typing.
Seller: broscro1
100% positive from 231 ratings
Prices and availability change daily. The full, current search on eBay shows every matching listing, including new ones since Oct 1, 2026.
See all current listings on eBay →Manual typewriters here are 50–80 years old; the same condition badge means different things at that age than on a 2-year-old electronic. Use this as a translation key when you read listings.
New / new-old-stock
Vanishingly rare on a manual typewriter — most surviving units are 50+ years old. A "new" listing here usually means a late-production unit (e.g. a 1990s Olivetti Lettera 32 still sealed in factory packaging) or a seller misusing the badge. Verify the listing photos show the original packaging and factory ribbon spool; treat the price premium with skepticism unless those check out.
Refurbished / serviced
The body has been through a CLA (clean / lubricate / adjust) by a typewriter specialist — segment re-lubed, platen tested or re-covered, draw band re-tensioned, type slugs cleaned, key linkages freed. Expect a $100–250 premium over an unserviced "used" equivalent; the listing should name the shop (Gramercy, Cambridge, WordsAreWinged, etc.) or include a service receipt. Highest-confidence buy for a writer who wants to type the day it arrives.
Used — tested / working
The realistic ceiling for most listings. Body types, carriage returns, escapement advances, shift works, ribbon advances. Cosmetic wear is normal. Look for "tested with fresh ribbon" (best), "tested — types all letters" (fine), plus a stated return window — anything short of that drifts toward "for parts." Platen rubber often still hardened on a "used — tested" body; budget $150–250 for a re-cover if you plan to type long-form on it.
For parts / not working
Sold as-is with no functional guarantee. Common project-typewriter failure modes: hardened platen, gummed segment (sticky keys), broken draw band, missing case, broken bell, dirty type slugs. Buy only to harvest components for another body, donate to a tech for spares, or accept the gamble of a $100–300 specialist CLA on top. The cheapest path to a typing body is almost always a "used — tested" listing, not "for parts" plus a service bill.
The ribbon, brush, platen fluid, and oil a body off eBay almost never ships with. The ribbon link is matched to Group 1 universal — the wrong spool is the easiest way to lose a typewriter purchase on the consumable.
Ribbon — Group 1 universal (most postwar portables)
Search on AmazonType slug cleaner brush
Search on AmazonPlaten rejuvenation fluid
Search on AmazonLight machine oil (segment + rails)
Search on AmazonReplacement rubber feet
Search on AmazonNone in our snapshot were sold serviced, and the SM4's segment lubricant hardens with age, so budget about $100 for a clean on an untested one. Check the tab set and clear keys work and the carriage advances evenly. Look for a hard platen, a frayed drawband and German QWERTZ layouts. If a listing says SM3/SM4, ask for a photo of the keyboard: tab keys beside the space bar mean SM4.
Some sources date the SM4 into the mid-1960s; Typewriter Database entries run 1958–1962. Production years are approximate spans compiled from collector references (the Typewriter Database, oz.Typewriter, Ted Munk's and Richard Polt's typewriter pages). Individual machines are dated by serial number: look the serial up on the Typewriter Database's serial-number page for this brand rather than trusting a seller's stated year.