Germany, SS. An Olympia Robust Typewriter with Runic Key, c. 1944

(SS Schreibmaschine). A rare Olympia Robust typewriter, constructed of a slate-grey painted magnetic steel casing, featuring a standard and fully-functional German “QWERTZ” key arrangement, notably with the numeral “5” featuring dual Sig runes, with all components functional and intact, including platen, ribbon spool, carriage release lever, and typebars, the face bearing an inscription of “VOR SCHLIEßEN DES KOFFERDECKELS WAGEN AUF MITTE STELLEN UND UMSCHALTFESTSTELLER LÖSEN” (“BEFORE CLOSING THE TRUNK LID, PLACE THE CARRIER IN THE CENTER AND RELEASE THE SWITCH LOCK”), opening to reveal a serial number of “517858”, with both the inscription and range of serial number indicating production c. 1944, measuring 26 cm (l) x 28.5 cm (w) x 12 cm (h), demonstrating minor loss of finish to the casing resulting in slight surface oxidation, scratching to the runic key consistent with an attempt to obscure the runes, likely to permit legal post-war use (but with no evidence of post-war modification of the applicable typebar as would be found on a deliberately converted example) and with subsequent refurbishment of the paint also visible, as well as the loss of its original case, a scarce example in near extremely fine condition.