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Home » L.C. Smith » 5 » 1912 #158114-5
1912 L.C. Smith 5 Serial # 158114-5 1912 L.C. Smith 5 typewriter, Serial # 158114-5 Gerald Ambrose's 1912 L.C. Smith 5 typewriter. 2021-04-16 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Gerald Ambrose: 1912 L.C. Smith 5 Serial # 158114-5 This machine was a craigslist find. Cosmetically, I would say that it is in good condition. Mechanically it is good, too, but needs some adjusting, a drawband, and a new platen.

The story I got with this LC Smith 5 is that was the previous owner's mother's for some time (she had it 'tuned up' in the 1980s) and she used it up until 2012. I assume that it was in the family for a long time.

Update 1/14/2017 - I had J.J. Short recover the platen. Wonderful job! This 105-year old machine can now type with the best of them!

Type Sample coming soon.

Update - 2/26/2017 - I would say that this machine could be used as a 'everyday' typer. It types very quickly, and, surprisingly, quietly! Even before the platen was recovered it was fairly quiet! The tabulator works well, as does the backspace, and ribbon key. The only thing I have not got working is the shift lock, but there is an unknown issue with the shift mechanism.

Overall I like this machine.


Update: I found that the serial number of this machine puts in the 1912 era.

1912 L.C. Smith 5 #158114-5

Status: Sightings
Hunter: Gerald Ambrose (Oliver9)
Created: 12-04-2016 at 05:09PM
Last Edit: 04-16-2021 at 01:10PM


Description:

This machine was a craigslist find. Cosmetically, I would say that it is in good condition. Mechanically it is good, too, but needs some adjusting, a drawband, and a new platen.

The story I got with this LC Smith 5 is that was the previous owner's mother's for some time (she had it 'tuned up' in the 1980s) and she used it up until 2012. I assume that it was in the family for a long time.

Update 1/14/2017 - I had J.J. Short recover the platen. Wonderful job! This 105-year old machine can now type with the best of them!

Type Sample coming soon.

Update - 2/26/2017 - I would say that this machine could be used as a 'everyday' typer. It types very quickly, and, surprisingly, quietly! Even before the platen was recovered it was fairly quiet! The tabulator works well, as does the backspace, and ribbon key. The only thing I have not got working is the shift lock, but there is an unknown issue with the shift mechanism.

Overall I like this machine.


Update: I found that the serial number of this machine puts in the 1912 era.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

The offending bracket keeping the basket from printing lowercase letters at the proper height.
The offending bracket keeping the basket from printing lowercase letters at the proper height.

Hunter: Gerald Ambrose (Oliver9)

Gerald Ambrose's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 941

I started collecting typewriters several years ago and it started with a late 1960s Smith-Corona Sterling portable that I got as a gift.



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