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Home » IBM » Model B » 1956 #455594
1956 IBM Model B Serial # 455594 1956 IBM Model B typewriter, Serial # 455594 Jer Wal's 1956 IBM Model B typewriter. 2015-02-25 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Jer Wal: 1956 IBM Model B Serial # 455594 I bought two IBM electric typers from the Re-Store for $30 for both. After doing a swap back for the "C" model I ended up with two "B" models, one with pica font and this one with elite font. And, with a little drop of oil on the ribbon advance cam, this one is working great!
This is a "standard" model which takes a fabric ribbon on a high-capacity toothed spool.
The "B" model can be identified by the individual letters I-B-M mounted on the front face and the back. The "A" model had a rectangular nameplate for the IBM logo.
You can love or hate the 1950's art deco look of these, but they are built like tanks. Seriously, these were built for daily use and they make most other home electric typers feel like toys by comparison. You have to prepare yourself for the carriage return the first time you sit down and use it. There's a lot of metal moving very fast and stopping suddenly on this machine. You need a sturdy table. A flimsy little typing stand won't do for one of these.

1956 IBM Model B #455594

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Jer Wal (treefaller)
Created: 02-25-2015 at 11:46AM
Last Edit: 02-25-2015 at 11:59AM


Description:

I bought two IBM electric typers from the Re-Store for $30 for both. After doing a swap back for the "C" model I ended up with two "B" models, one with pica font and this one with elite font. And, with a little drop of oil on the ribbon advance cam, this one is working great!
This is a "standard" model which takes a fabric ribbon on a high-capacity toothed spool.
The "B" model can be identified by the individual letters I-B-M mounted on the front face and the back. The "A" model had a rectangular nameplate for the IBM logo.
You can love or hate the 1950's art deco look of these, but they are built like tanks. Seriously, these were built for daily use and they make most other home electric typers feel like toys by comparison. You have to prepare yourself for the carriage return the first time you sit down and use it. There's a lot of metal moving very fast and stopping suddenly on this machine. You need a sturdy table. A flimsy little typing stand won't do for one of these.

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Note the decal says model 11C, I can't explain why IBM does this. 11C references an "A" model, according to the serial number table. This is certainly a "B" model.
Note the decal says model 11C, I can't explain why IBM does this. 11C references an "A" model, according to the serial number table. This is certainly a "B" model.


Hunter: Jer Wal (treefaller)

Jer Wal's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 452

The pounding typebar, having writ, moves on... unless there's a ding.



RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the IBM Model B on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the IBM Serial Number page and the IBM Model B By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.