SOLD - Rare Nazi Era SS Typewriter

Description

12/17/25- For sale is a rare Nazi era typewriter with a specific key for the infamous SS "lightning bolt" symbol. The typewriter is an Olympia Elite model, likely from 1939 or 1940. Olympia was a German typewriter brand and manufactured machines throughout the early 20th century, including the entire Nazi period. As the Nazi Party and Party organizations became more important parts of German life, the SS "lightning bolt" symbol was used more often in German writing, leading to the introduction of typewriters with a special key for the SS symbol. On this machine, the SS symbol is the alternate symbol on the 5 key. The typewriter has no military markings and is not a simplified battlefield model so it is not possible to definitively identify this machine with any particular unit or organization. This machine could have been a purely civilian machine or could have been used in any of the various government and Party offices of the Third Reich, even inside the SS itself, although there is no identified owner or user.

For the machine itself, all the keys are functional with minimal sticking, notably on the M key. The small bell sounds at the end of a line and the lever to reset the page works well. The finish of the typewriter is intact, with no scratches or scrapes. There are no dents or dings to the frame of the machine. All keys are present and intact with clear markings. The Olympia and Elite branding are intact. The case has some notable wear and deterioration, especially on the cloth/canvas liner. The liner is separating from the wooden structure around some of the corners and the back panel. Some of the nails have come slightly loose so the side/back panel is a bit loose but still attached at the moment. The whole set is overall in excellent condition and a very desirable piece for both WW2 and typewriter collectors!