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Home » Smith Corona » Super Speed » 1949 #2A2211796-11
1949 Smith Corona Super Speed Serial # 2A2211796-11 1949 Smith Corona Super Speed typewriter, Serial # 2A2211796-11 Brad Sarno's 1949 Smith Corona Super Speed typewriter. 2018-06-22 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Brad Sarno: 1949 Smith Corona Super Speed Serial # 2A2211796-11 This 1949 Super-Speed is an interesting machine. This is the last of the Super-Speed line that still uses the ball-bearing typebar pivot points. Just a couple years later, the Super-Speed switched over to the more common slotted segment design as found in virtually all other typewriters at that point. The ball-bearings clearly help to make this a fast machine, very smooth action and a very enjoyable key feel. I can type faster on this machine than on any other manual typewriter I know. This design also lacks a strike-plate to stop the travel of the typebars, so the paper & platen is what stops the motion. This seems to make the Super-Speed a bit more varied in how dark or light the imprint in response to your key strike. The inner workings and general design appear to be consistent with the earlier designs. While the frame is newer, the general L.C. Smith machine seems to be still intact and in many ways resembling their machines of decades earlier. The quality appears to be excellent. The platen on this one is amazingly still rubbery, grippy, and healthy. This one is a 10-pitch pica typeface. It's a reasonably quiet machine.

1949 Smith Corona Super Speed #2A2211796-11

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brad Sarno (bradsarno)
Created: 02-24-2014 at 07:57AM
Last Edit: 06-22-2018 at 01:50PM


Description:

This 1949 Super-Speed is an interesting machine. This is the last of the Super-Speed line that still uses the ball-bearing typebar pivot points. Just a couple years later, the Super-Speed switched over to the more common slotted segment design as found in virtually all other typewriters at that point. The ball-bearings clearly help to make this a fast machine, very smooth action and a very enjoyable key feel. I can type faster on this machine than on any other manual typewriter I know. This design also lacks a strike-plate to stop the travel of the typebars, so the paper & platen is what stops the motion. This seems to make the Super-Speed a bit more varied in how dark or light the imprint in response to your key strike. The inner workings and general design appear to be consistent with the earlier designs. While the frame is newer, the general L.C. Smith machine seems to be still intact and in many ways resembling their machines of decades earlier. The quality appears to be excellent. The platen on this one is amazingly still rubbery, grippy, and healthy. This one is a 10-pitch pica typeface. It's a reasonably quiet machine.

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Hunter: Brad Sarno (bradsarno)

Brad Sarno's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2728

I've spent my life as a mechanical and electronics tinkerer, bikes, cars, lawnmowers, appliances, cameras, audio gear, guitars, amplifiers, and pedal steel guitars. I was trained as a typist for 2 years back in the late 70's on IBM Selectric II's. At home I recall my mother having an Olympia SM3. More recently we got our daughter a typewriter for Christmas, and that somehow sparked my own personal interest in these fine and interesting machines. Now it's a habit that just won't quit. Daily searches on Craigslist, frequent trips to antique stores & malls, garage sales, etc. It's a fun and healthy addiction.



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