UBB.threads Forums General Militaria Flags, Field Gear, and Miscellaneous Militaria and Regalia Forum "SS" typewriter

Hi All,I have been told that there is an "SS" typewriter somewhere amongst our small clutch of collectors. I would be interested in buying it if priced right. Is/are there any special things that I should look for or look-out for in a real one or a repro/fake? Also-and I know that condition is everything-what would be a realistic price be on it in a general good condition? I know that this is a LOT to ask for with out a photo, but I really only want some general info. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer. I'll keep you all posted if there is anything to post. Peace, Mark

How about it, Guys? ANYTHING I should look for or be aware of?

Exactly what makes a typewriter an SS typewriter.

Your basic manual typewriter from the 30's or 40's has no real market value because there are so many made.

they basically sit in the backs of closets on their way to the dump.

So, what makes an SS typewriter an
SS typewriter?

Let me guess... the 'SS' key?

John

John, is that a serious answer. Is there a key on the SS typewriter that has a double S?

Hello Jim, there is, infact, a key that has the SS "sigrunen". It is the capital "3" i.e. you press "Shift" and type the 3 key. On a normal typewriter it had the Pound [#] symbol. Hope this Helps! Leipzig

I found this little ditty on the internet where the author maintains that most typewriters manufactured for
Germany by Olivetti had the SS runes. These were not SS typewriters..

So, I am not sure that the presence of SS Runes on the key would really give any comfort that you have an originalSS typewriter.
This is the add I found.
"Olivetti studio 42 typewriterserial number 564128italy, 1943excellent operational conditiongood cosmetic condition10 characters per inch, picavariable line spacing 1, 2, 3heavy aluminum housingcarriage-mounted margin sets and tab all-clearkeyboard-mounted tab setsmortise-and-tenon carriage lockfluted aluminum bail rollersfresh red & black ribbonno casea compelling artifact representing both ends of the axis the machine for sale here was manufactured at the main olivetti plant in ivrea in 1943, at the height of the second world war. It wsa made for export to germany and the german-occupied territories, equipped with a german keyboard with umlaut vowels, the es-zett, a double s seen in such words as street (straãye), plus a cursive m symbol for the reichsmark and the runic ss of the schutzstaffel. Machines equipped with the schutzstaffel symbol are often thought to have been made especially for the ss or the german high command, but in fact the vast majority of typewrtiers manufactured in and for the reich market carried this symbol after about 1938. Charged in the modern imagination with an exotic and powerful evil, it was, in its day, little more extraordinary than the ubiquitous eagle and swastika. It was an abbreviation its cultic meaning, which was promtoed by many in the ss hierarchy but which suffered a certain amount of eye-rolling even from hitler himself, is easy to exaggerate in retrospect."

Roger, thank you for answering. I was writing my post when you posted and did not notice you answered my question.

So, is that it? Because a typewriter has the SS Runes on a keyboard, that someone declared these were all SS typewriters? If that is the case, buyer beware.

So again we must ask the question, what makes a typewriter an SS typewriter and not just one of the normal typewriters delivered to Germany?

Mark, unless there is some legitimate way to validate a typewriter is an SS typewriter, just start looking at period typewriters until you find one with the runes, then buy it.

As to condition, I don't know about SS Typewriters, but my father still uses his original typewriter and he is 92 years young. Basically, unless someone has dropped it or hit it with a hammer, it will be in good condition. You will undoubtably have to replace the ribbon if you want to use it..

A vast amount of the type writers made in this time frame ,Did Not have the SS runes key. even some original SS documents show normal s&s being used. Most of the companies who did these had to revamp the keys to "accommodate" this "extra key".
so many did not bother to offer it. only other way was to have this key replace another existing one, so what would you eliminate =?

the company mentioned might have spent a lot of money & time to revamp their typewriter , hence only offered this way = not specifically for only sales to the SS. but to waste their time Meant, they Did have this idea of sales to them ; OR why bother.
mine was made in 1936 ,"torpedo" trade marked. operates as if it was made yesterday. Actually a friend has it & using it to type out a new updated resume.

there does exist a variation which has a Swastika key! have a photo some where of it.
I heard some typewriters were contracted out of the lowlands for the SS also ;but do not recall any company names.
most military portable typewriters do not have the key either.
So the only thing that would denote an SS typewriter would be that SS key. not to say a typist in the luftwaffe was not using one , which had an SS key on it.
and new ribbons can be bought still But you might need to save the old reels of the old ribbon. the holes on new reels are much smaller.
jeff

Google - Images for ss typewriter

quite a few to see.

--dj--Joe

THANK YOU-ALL, for your time and effort! It does make for a more interesting world! Peace, Mark