1. Seat the spools

   Lift cover 26. Transfer the ribbon onto a matching spool, then secure both spools with catches g; engage drive pins e.

2. Pass both reversing levers

   Thread the ribbon through reversing levers c on both sides, following the spool detail in the source plate.

3. Behind b, into a

   Engage Shift Lock. Place the ribbon behind central guide b, then into the left and right slits of holders a.

4. Check full-width seating

   Both ribbon edges must lie inside the slits, flat and untwisted. Compare the front and side drawings before testing on paper.

Manufacturer drawings checked. Michelle Geffken’s early SM8 photograph supports body identification; its covered mechanism does not independently verify the threading.

Olympia SM8 · 1/31/031/B · PDF 4/4 ↗

Photographic reference ↗

1. Seat the spools

   Remove cover 29. Fit matching spools, engaging catches g and drive pins e rather than resting a spool loosely on its shaft.

2. Pass both reversing levers

   Route through both reversing levers c. Use this manual’s spool detail, not a winding rule borrowed from another brand.

3. Behind b, into a

   With Shift Lock engaged, bring the ribbon behind guide b and into both slits of holders a.

4. Compare both views

   Seat the full ribbon width in the slits. Check against the front and side figures, remove twists and test on scrap paper.

Manufacturer front/side drawings checked. Carl Ha’s 1967 SM9 photo, serial 3361487, confirms the early exterior; it does not show the covered side guides.

Olympia SM9 · 1/31/032/M · PDF 6/6 ↗

Photographic reference ↗

1. Raise the carrier

   Set Shift Lock and the colour selector to red. The manual raises the carrier with two central typebars together; use only their normal travel, never force them.

2. Both spools feed from the back

   Open the hood. Attach the new ribbon to the empty spool and seat both spools so the ribbon travels to and from their BACK edges.

3. Through the small guides

   Pass through the small guides beside both ribbon cups, then seat the ribbon in the carrier as the installation photograph shows.

4. Release and test

   Return the raised typebars, release Shift Lock and remove slack by turning a spool. Close the hood and test on paper.

Manual installation photographs compared with Chris Aldrich’s open-hood 1955 specimen RA-3010220. Replacement plastic spools are visible in that specimen.

Royal QDL · speed-selector booklet · PDF 13/16 ↗

Photographic reference ↗

1. Open and raise

   Move the line-space lever left; remove the front plate by its two points. Engage Shift Lock before freeing the old ribbon from carrier 39.

2. Pins, colour and eyelets

   Seat both spools on their axles with the eccentric drive pins engaged. Red goes below. Keep each eyelet between its spool and side guide.

3. Carrier first

   Fit the ribbon into both slots of carrier 39. The manual specifies this BEFORE threading the side guides.

4. Then side guides

   Pass through guides 9 and 37, then replace the plate. This manual requires 13 mm ribbon and eyelets for automatic reversal; test gentle feeding.

Original open-cover installation photograph checked alongside the written instructions. The separate Commons 3000 S photo is a different specimen, not an exact revision match.

Paillard · 3003 B · printed pp. 8–9 / PDF 14–15 ↗

Photographic reference ↗

1. Seat the right spool

   Move the carriage left and open the cover. Fit the right spool with red below and ribbon unwinding from its BACK.

2. Left spool and actuators

   Attach the loose end to the left spool and cover its eyelet. Both spools feed from the back; pass through cup openings and actuator slots, eyelets outside the actuators.

3. Behind, then lower D

   Engage Shift Lock. Put the ribbon behind the vibrator; ease its lower edge down into the two lower loops D (figs. 15–16).

4. Up into upper E

   Straighten the upper edge into loops E (fig. 17). Remove slack: left spool counterclockwise or right clockwise. Check for creases, close and test.

Manufacturer photographs show the complete carrier sequence. The Hanttula 5S gallery supports family identification; an older 4S Speedline photograph was excluded as a revision mismatch.

Smith-Corona · 5-51 booklet · printed pp. 12–14 / PDF 13–15 · figs. 14–17 ↗

Photographic reference ↗

1. Check the retainer

   Remove the cover and identify the spool retention. On the photographed thumb-nut version, undo the nuts by hand; do not lift the spool against a tightened nut.

2. Keep the original spools

   Transfer the ribbon to matching spools when needed. The 1964 leaflet says to wind past the end eyelet and keep the red band below.

3. Side route

   Follow the 1965 spool diagram and matching photographs through the side guides. Keep the ribbon in the reversing fork slots, without twists.

4. Carrier: three positions

   Use the three-position inset to fit the ribbon into both carrier slots and straighten it flat. Refit the retainers gently, remove slack and test.

1965 carrier sequence compared with CasaTempo’s replacement photographs. The 1964 US leaflet says spring retention, unlike the photographed thumb nuts; that clause is not used here.

British Olivetti · 3-65 leaflet · PDF 3/4 · ribbon inset ↗

Photographic reference ↗