1941 L.C. Smith Silent Secretarial #1B1633865-11

Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 08-17-2024 at 05:23PM
Last Edit: 08-18-2024 at 06:49AM

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Description:

This old gal with right hand return had a rough life before being retired to display status. The previous owner thought it came out of a munitions plant. Then it was parked where small grass clippings were packed into it. An interesting display for an entryway being the insect magnet it was! And it was a super hard cleanout.

Anyway, the platen was hammered to death. The return arm was barely hanging on and a host of other things to sort out. A Super-Speed with a busted escapement to the rescue. So I think all the Silent-Secretarials had silver stripes, but this Super Speed bodywork in black/black was much nicer. The worn slugs and somewhat better platen from the Speed still leave just an ok impression. Maybe I should have used this one as the parts machine, but I wanted to save the right hand return lever model. When did they stop offering this option?

It is definity a transition out of the antique era, but not quite modern. The 2 series is a big step up in many ways.

So what makes it a Silent Secretarial beyond the previously mentioned color combo? Comparing 1941 models with 158 and 163 serial numbers, they both have the same insulation level. Other than the three roller paper bail, they appear identical. They didn't advertise this model but in passing with an occasional text mention in the Super Speed ads. If we use the TWDB galleries as an indicator, it would appear they didn't sell very many of them?

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

• In Silver
• Those 1B machines with the Smith Corona badge.
• Only one 2B, the other should go with the 1B gallery.
• 1A Super Speeds
• manual
• My 2A Super Speed

Photos:

Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)

James Grooms's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 7515

As with many, the bug is back there somewhere due to an Underwood No. 5. My grandfather was on a small town school board and used one for this. My parents had a yellow Royal Safari that I used to index card everything, including a beer can collection. Collection syndrome clue! The long dormant tic was activated when my neighbors left a Remington Quiet Riter on the curb when they moved in circa 2010, Yes a believe it or not story is next, when a Hermes 3000 comes home with the girlfriend from work for free. Yes, free! From there the addiction is full steam. And yes, I now have a No. 5. Typewriters are the perfect blend of using one's technical skills, history and functional purpose.