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1945 Smith Corona Sterling Serial # 4A 129149 1945 Smith Corona Sterling typewriter, Serial # 4A 129149 Wayne Bouchard's 1945 Smith Corona Sterling typewriter. 2024-03-26 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Wayne Bouchard: 1945 Smith Corona Sterling Serial # 4A 129149 Smith-Corona Sterling (4S) typewriter from about 1945. I say "about" because it is very early in the serial number sequence of post-war production and therefore there is some uncertainty of exactly when it was produced, whether 1945 or 1946 but I'm saying 1945 because it seems a reasonable time frame.

This typewriter, being one of SC's lesser equipped model, does not have a paper guide or paper bail. The paper is secured by the paper fingers / card holders. This means that you have to be careful where you position then since they can jam up the ribbon lifter if they get caught in it. Note that it also only has 42 keys, lacking the 1 and the = key.. There is still a touch control and tab system and the margins are plainly visible on the top of the typewriter, a nice feature that other makers didn't always offer.

When purchased, this typewriter had a weird escapement issue where two teeth would be skipped every time around on the wheel, resulting in typing 5 columns wide with two spaces in between. It also had a strange issue with the ratchet paw, where I could only turn the platen forward but not back. The escapement and ratchet pawl were both replaced as the simplest means of fixing the issue which probably resulted from bent parts. Otherwise, I did a little touch up on the finish by using a Q-tip and flat black enamel to hide some blemishes in the finish but nothing else was required. It's in great shape and types excellently!

1945 Smith Corona Sterling #4A 129149

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Wayne Bouchard (azweb100)
Created: 03-26-2024 at 10:18PM
Last Edit: 03-26-2024 at 10:27PM

Description Hunter 17 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Smith-Corona Sterling (4S) typewriter from about 1945. I say "about" because it is very early in the serial number sequence of post-war production and therefore there is some uncertainty of exactly when it was produced, whether 1945 or 1946 but I'm saying 1945 because it seems a reasonable time frame.

This typewriter, being one of SC's lesser equipped model, does not have a paper guide or paper bail. The paper is secured by the paper fingers / card holders. This means that you have to be careful where you position then since they can jam up the ribbon lifter if they get caught in it. Note that it also only has 42 keys, lacking the 1 and the = key.. There is still a touch control and tab system and the margins are plainly visible on the top of the typewriter, a nice feature that other makers didn't always offer.

When purchased, this typewriter had a weird escapement issue where two teeth would be skipped every time around on the wheel, resulting in typing 5 columns wide with two spaces in between. It also had a strange issue with the ratchet paw, where I could only turn the platen forward but not back. The escapement and ratchet pawl were both replaced as the simplest means of fixing the issue which probably resulted from bent parts. Otherwise, I did a little touch up on the finish by using a Q-tip and flat black enamel to hide some blemishes in the finish but nothing else was required. It's in great shape and types excellently!

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:






The decal on the back WAS gold when I got it, but a single wipe from a cleaning cloth and it all went away. Oh well...
The decal on the back WAS gold when I got it, but a single wipe from a cleaning cloth and it all went away. Oh well...



Note the basic folding paper stands.
Note the basic folding paper stands.

Serial number located beneath the ribbon cover and visible on the right hand side in front of the ribbon spool.
Serial number located beneath the ribbon cover and visible on the right hand side in front of the ribbon spool.


Note the "1" mark on the type slugs, designating this Pica No. 1
Note the "1" mark on the type slugs, designating this Pica No. 1

Had to repaint the blue and red dots.
Had to repaint the blue and red dots.

The Corona 1-5 series portables are called the "Floating Shift" typewriters because of this label, denoting the ease of which shifting is done, being a basket shift that is carefully counterbalanced, rather than a carriage shift.
The Corona 1-5 series portables are called the "Floating Shift" typewriters because of this label, denoting the ease of which shifting is done, being a basket shift that is carefully counterbalanced, rather than a carriage shift.

The case bears the scars of years but it is still in great shape inside and still fully serviceable.
The case bears the scars of years but it is still in great shape inside and still fully serviceable.


Darling, take me away!
Darling, take me away!

Hunter: Wayne Bouchard (azweb100)

Wayne Bouchard's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1189

Collector of several things, including typewriters, slide rules, and mechanical calculators.
Started collecting typewriters in 2023 with a Royal HHE like the one I did my first book report on when I was in school and using my dad's old typewriter.


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

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