Vintage IBM Model F Portable Mechanical Keyboard For 5155 Computer Spring Switch
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:29853595 | Modified Item: No |
| Type: Keyboard | Compatible Brand: For IBM |
| Vintage: Yes | Model: IBM Model F 5155 |
| MPN: Model F | Switches: Buckling Spring |
| Brand: IBM |
For sale is an IBM Model F Portable Keyboard, for the IBM 5155 "luggable" computer.
Yeah, I got that close with the camera. Come at me. Those key-caps are that pretty. :)
The lighter pictures are under standard office lighting. The warmer pictures are with the red and orange fill light that I normally use to emulate various lights you might have in your house. I want people to be able to see what something looks like in any kind of light; because let...'s face it... When it comes to this stuff, beige is more than a color; it's everything.
The housing shows wear in expected locations. This probably came from a computer that wasn't used much, but was moved around warehouses over the years.
The cord is coiled well, but old. It's still soft and pliable, and I did re-coil it properly, but after all this time if you start pulling it all around, it will stretch eventually and look like the others, so use it as you would if you just paid retail for it in 1985, which is the date code inside the case. There is mild heat damage where someone tried to repair a cut in the jacket, which should be looked at before use.
The rest of the cord is fine.
There is a scratch on the IBM badge, visible in the pictures.
I'm not exaggerating when I say typing on this feels like it's new. Period. No joke; I wouldn't put my name on that statement if it wasn't absolutely true. There's not one touch of wear evidence in the switches, the springs sparkle... All you feel is that spring ping. Nothing else. Even if you don't need the case, you're looking at key-caps and switches you'll have a lot of trouble finding. They still have their texture, which is surprising.
This keyboard housing is of "oyster" construction (one piece with an inset cap), and there's some stress placed over time on the face-plate as things expand and contract. Look closely at the top left corner picture for evidence of "checking" from all those decades. It's only on the surface (I verified this myself).
The tilting legs show some strain, and one shows a crack, but it's holding up fine. It's only on one side.
I see nothing wrong with the connector, and all the solder joints and cabling inside, as well as strain relief are in excellent condition.
All in all, you may find one with a better case, but you're not likely to find a better total package. You certainly won't find key-caps that good unless you stumble across something NOS.
Ask any questions you like, and I'll do my best to answer them.
Condition:
See pictures and description.
Shipping:
Shipping is automatically calculated, and VIA USPS domestically. International shipping is via Ebay's own forwarding service.
Returns:
While I offer no formal return policy, I do value my customers. Please contact me immediately, before leaving feedback, if you feel you have an issue. I'll do my very best to sort it out as quickly as possible. :)
Yeah, I got that close with the camera. Come at me. Those key-caps are that pretty. :)
The lighter pictures are under standard office lighting. The warmer pictures are with the red and orange fill light that I normally use to emulate various lights you might have in your house. I want people to be able to see what something looks like in any kind of light; because let...'s face it... When it comes to this stuff, beige is more than a color; it's everything.
The housing shows wear in expected locations. This probably came from a computer that wasn't used much, but was moved around warehouses over the years.
The cord is coiled well, but old. It's still soft and pliable, and I did re-coil it properly, but after all this time if you start pulling it all around, it will stretch eventually and look like the others, so use it as you would if you just paid retail for it in 1985, which is the date code inside the case. There is mild heat damage where someone tried to repair a cut in the jacket, which should be looked at before use.
The rest of the cord is fine.
There is a scratch on the IBM badge, visible in the pictures.
I'm not exaggerating when I say typing on this feels like it's new. Period. No joke; I wouldn't put my name on that statement if it wasn't absolutely true. There's not one touch of wear evidence in the switches, the springs sparkle... All you feel is that spring ping. Nothing else. Even if you don't need the case, you're looking at key-caps and switches you'll have a lot of trouble finding. They still have their texture, which is surprising.
This keyboard housing is of "oyster" construction (one piece with an inset cap), and there's some stress placed over time on the face-plate as things expand and contract. Look closely at the top left corner picture for evidence of "checking" from all those decades. It's only on the surface (I verified this myself).
The tilting legs show some strain, and one shows a crack, but it's holding up fine. It's only on one side.
I see nothing wrong with the connector, and all the solder joints and cabling inside, as well as strain relief are in excellent condition.
All in all, you may find one with a better case, but you're not likely to find a better total package. You certainly won't find key-caps that good unless you stumble across something NOS.
Ask any questions you like, and I'll do my best to answer them.
Condition:
See pictures and description.
Shipping:
Shipping is automatically calculated, and VIA USPS domestically. International shipping is via Ebay's own forwarding service.
Returns:
While I offer no formal return policy, I do value my customers. Please contact me immediately, before leaving feedback, if you feel you have an issue. I'll do my very best to sort it out as quickly as possible. :)
