NOS Micro Switch SD Keyboard - 1981 - Burroughs RIII Keyboard

[Delta Research]

I recently acquired this keyboard from Facebook marketplace, from a google search I wasn't able to get much about this keyboard.

burroughs keyboard 1.png (2.47 MiB) Viewed 3544 times

One thing is for sure, this looks really cool and reminds me of the 327X beamspring line.
Most keys are double shot, but some keys are single shot (no legend), and some are tripleshot (yellow legend on the front).

burroughs keyboard 2.png (1.91 MiB) Viewed 3544 times

It also features a latching caps lock, which is released when either of the shift keys are pressed. Really cool and I wish I could see more boards with this kind of feature. Switches also say 4B2E on them, I haven't checked every switch but I'm pretty sure most of the keys use it. As for keyfeel, it's one... no. THE smoothest unlubed switch I've ever typed on. It's silky smooth with zero binding whatsoever.

burroughs keyboard 3.png (2.72 MiB) Viewed 3544 times

burroughs keyboard 4.png (2.53 MiB) Viewed 3544 times

If anyone knows anything about this keyboard, please post in the thread. I'm suspecting this might've belonged to some typewriter or word processing machine.

[Delta Research]

I just looked on the box and there's a manufacture date of December 18th, 1981.

[wufishy]

That looks amazing! If someone can get it to work on a modern system it will be a treat!

[Chyros]

That looks great! Congrats on the find!

[mmm]

Gorgeous board just a little bit jealous. Congrats on finding it!

[Muirium]

If you’re interested in USB conversion, here’s a good thread.

[Delta Research]

Welp, I already hit a roadblock with trying to disassemble it, I unscrewed all visible screws on the back but nothing is budging.

[jsheradin]

Some more pictures would be helpful, tough to see anything about how it's assembled or what connectors it uses.

[Delta Research]

Screenshot 2022-12-29 111616.png (1.35 MiB) Viewed 3153 times

This is a picture of the back, the bottom four holes do not have any screws, but I can see the PCB through them. The connector and speaker appear to be screwed in from the inside.

[Muirium]

They aren’t sealed shut from within. (Unless built by supernatural creatures…)

Be sure all the screws are out—including any screws in barrels hidden under labels—then work your way around the seam with a spudger or an old bank card, feeling for latches. Some old shells are real stuck in their ways but all will open with sufficient persuasion.

[JP!]

I've never seen this keyboard before but also make sure there is nothing beneath those black rubber foot pads.

[Delta Research]

It appears the feet are melted on rather than adhesive, but I'll try to get them off non destructively before resorting to prying them off.

[Delta Research]

Just checked and there are no screws under the feet. I'm seriously stumped now, I'll check for any hidden latches.

[Delta Research]

I got the top case off, turns out I was trying to take it off the wrong way. I'll get pictures taken and get a wiki page going on this later today.

Screenshot 2022-12-29 133510.png (1.75 MiB) Viewed 3092 times

[MathematicalJ]

This is a thing of beauty. I am definitely interested. I have some weird things I could trade if you still have it. I'll PM you.