June 1984 IBM Wheelwriter 5 Keyboard Assembly (P/N 1351000)

[sharktastica]

I think this is the earliest Model M/Model M-based/membrane buckling spring keyboard I've seen, and it's a beauty! Includes typical early Model M and Wheelwriter/Quietwriter keyboard assembly perks such as rainbow plate, 'cushionless' pivot plates and factory-fitted O-rings. Plus, all rivets are intact!

It was the keyboard assembly for the IBM Wheelwriter 5 electronic typewriter, which alongside the Wheelwriter 3 and Quietwriter 7 were collectively the first vessels of the Model M design when they were released in the latter half of 1984. Judging by the style of sticker, this keyboard was possibly produced by IBM Netherlands as its very similar to confirmed examples of IBM Netherlands Model M's internal sticker. IBM Netherlands' Amsterdam plant(s) was known for its typewriter production and was known to produce electronic typewriters and keyboards as per IBM, so it's believable that it was produced there.

IMG_20230126_100420966.jpg (1.13 MiB) Viewed 7728 times

IMG_20230126_100449674.jpg (1.14 MiB) Viewed 7728 times

IMG_20230126_100917332_HDR.jpg (1.26 MiB) Viewed 7728 times

IMG_20230126_100500671_HDR.jpg (630.73 KiB) Viewed 7728 times

IMG_20230126_100722814_HDR.jpg (680.83 KiB) Viewed 7728 times

[Muirium]

Are you sure sure that’s Model M? Sounds much too classy to me.

Mind, my Model Fs could well use that Erase Ease-esque split spacebar. Lonnnnnnnnnnnnng spacebars were an unfortunate fashion.

Spoiler:

[fohat]

sure that’s Model M?

Those typewriter keyboards are especially nice. And that "CODE" key is very cool but unfortunately its companion space bar has different barrel spacing is not compatible with conventional M/F layouts (at least that is how I remember it).

What made my eyes get wide were those O-rings ....

[sharktastica]

Those typewriter keyboards are especially nice. And that "CODE" key is very cool but unfortunately its companion space bar has different barrel spacing is not compatible with conventional M/F layouts (at least that is how I remember it).

There's a 'light' mod you can do to get it to fit. You'll need to cut a corner off the left spacebar stab holder/clip since the Wheelwriter spacebar stab wire's left corner prevents the clip from catching the wire. See diagram below (by zrrion iirc).

SNKB-M1986-BT1-122_20220214_alphas.jpg (893.12 KiB) Viewed 7627 times

YwqOMJW.png (21.83 KiB) Viewed 7627 times

[darkcruix]

Are you sure sure that’s Model M? Sounds much too classy to me.

Mind, my Model Fs could well use that Erase Ease-esque split spacebar. Lonnnnnnnnnnnnng spacebars were an unfortunate fashion.

Spoiler:

Let's bring out the virtual knives Space Bars can't be wide enough. 9U+ is all I'm sayin'