1957 Smith Corona Silent Super #5T 524489X
Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 03-01-2024 at 05:05PM
Last Edit: 03-24-2025 at 09:12AM
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Description:
A nice example of the 'Super 5' series. "Keyed for Speed"! I've been looking for this case. A few minor blems and bit of rust where the palm rests on the right side. Her Super sister from the same year and in same color is on the work bench today.
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From newspaper ads, even in the day, the dealers couldn't keep the Silent Super vs Super Silent straight. Who could blame them with Supers and Silent Supers in the lineup at the same time. So in ca 55, what is the difference between a Super and a Silent Super? I see some additional insulation in the cover of the Silent Super. An X Silent Super gets an all new escapement plus the two extra keys.
From looking at galleries by model:
Super 53-59.
Silent 49-57
Silent Super 54-61
It appears the Silent never had key set tabs?
Along somewhere in 55 (maybe) Silent Supers (most) get an X as the last character in the SN. This was two extra keys and the improved escapement. And no, sorry, but it wasn't "custom" or "special order." There may have been overlap in 55 when both were available? If anything, once the X comes out, the sans two keys with old escape was "special order." As of now, 3/24/25, there is the odd one without the X that comes later in the gallery.
However, the gallery is a date mess and there are lots of incorrect SNs re the X and there are many without pics to confirm a SN. with or without the X. The "up to 1953" is the key to start with and confused the heck out of me. Still does.
As for SNs, come on typospherian archaeologists, take a pic of the SN and add it! It is the TWDB.
Ads don't reveal much re the X SN. They don't make any sort of big push for it. There are some that will talk up "standard keyboard" or "88 characters." Most of the newspaper ads continue to display a 42 key machine well past 1955. Links.
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
James Grooms's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 11477
As with many, the bug is back there somewhere due to an Underwood No. 5. My grandparents had a No 5. My parents had a yellow Royal Safari that I used to index card everything, including a beer can collection. Collection syndrome clue! A casual interest in typewriters started with a garage sale 3 bank simply because it said Underwood on it. Typewriters were found here and there , but I wasn't actively looking for them. The long dormant collecting tic was activated when my neighbors left a Remington Quiet Riter on the curb when they moved.
Typewriters are the perfect blend of using one's technical skills, history and functional purpose. My goal is type tested machines. My interests are not isolated to anyone area. For example, I am a big fan of Smith Corona electrics, mid century electrics and all things Royal.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona Silent Super on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona Silent Super By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
