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Home » Smith Corona » 400 » 196x #Unknown
196x Smith Corona 400 Serial # Unknown 196x Smith Corona 400 typewriter, Serial # Unknown Andrew Wyderka's 196x Smith Corona 400 typewriter. 2019-08-15 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Andrew Wyderka: 196x Smith Corona 400 Serial # Unknown A Craigslist find, bought from the family that owned it originally.
I've never seen or heard of this one before, and there's little reference on the internet, so I decided I had to have it. It's a heavy beast, clearly a competitor for the IBM typebar line and other standard electrics, and comes with all the features SCM could throw at it.
I don't think it has proportional spacing, but it does have a paper injector, carbon and cloth ribbons, pushbutton color selection, pushbutton copy selection (which I am not sure works), and push tab margin selection on the ends of the carriage (very un-SC), as well as a replaceable power cord and a very visible and cleanable power roll and trip mechanisms. While familiar in some ways, it's enough of a departure from the practices I see on the other S-C products I have that I question if someone else was involved with the design.
I have not been able to test it as yet, for although it hums, the motor / belt / power roll does not turn.

196x Smith Corona 400 #Unknown

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Andrew Wyderka (2typerightly)
Created: 08-15-2019 at 06:06AM
Last Edit: 08-15-2019 at 12:45PM


Description:

A Craigslist find, bought from the family that owned it originally.
I've never seen or heard of this one before, and there's little reference on the internet, so I decided I had to have it. It's a heavy beast, clearly a competitor for the IBM typebar line and other standard electrics, and comes with all the features SCM could throw at it.
I don't think it has proportional spacing, but it does have a paper injector, carbon and cloth ribbons, pushbutton color selection, pushbutton copy selection (which I am not sure works), and push tab margin selection on the ends of the carriage (very un-SC), as well as a replaceable power cord and a very visible and cleanable power roll and trip mechanisms. While familiar in some ways, it's enough of a departure from the practices I see on the other S-C products I have that I question if someone else was involved with the design.
I have not been able to test it as yet, for although it hums, the motor / belt / power roll does not turn.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Clearly dates from around Kennedy-Nixon debate.
Clearly dates from around Kennedy-Nixon debate.

Paper injector is smoother, has better action than Olympia SG.
"Clear Tab" tab behind and below margin set tab. 
Platen removes as per usual S-C practice.
Paper injector is smoother, has better action than Olympia SG. "Clear Tab" tab behind and below margin set tab. Platen removes as per usual S-C practice.

Margin set tabs. No feel of brittleness to any plastic.
Margin set tabs. No feel of brittleness to any plastic.

Very heavy rubber (or is it neoprene?) cushions typebar return
Very heavy rubber (or is it neoprene?) cushions typebar return




Hopefully bad ribbon and not alignment issue.
Hopefully bad ribbon and not alignment issue.

All parts accessible. Separate case and frame. 
Touch control at front bottom.
All parts accessible. Separate case and frame. Touch control at front bottom.

Tiny Allen screws for adjustment.
Tiny Allen screws for adjustment.

Anyone know where to get new carbon ribbons?
Anyone know where to get new carbon ribbons?

Most stuff is easy to get to. Lots of room around typebars for service. You can see the white plastic typebar trips below (I hope those never need replacing), and see part of the power roll. The rubber power roll is in great shape, still has a little give to it, so hopefully doesn't need redone yet.
Most stuff is easy to get to. Lots of room around typebars for service. You can see the white plastic typebar trips below (I hope those never need replacing), and see part of the power roll. The rubber power roll is in great shape, still has a little give to it, so hopefully doesn't need redone yet.

Neato flip up cover articulates - 
top flips up then flips forward again for unimpeded access.
Neato flip up cover articulates - top flips up then flips forward again for unimpeded access.


Hunter: Andrew Wyderka (2typerightly)

Andrew Wyderka's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 48

I like standards, but will take what strikes my fancy, even if it doesn't strike the Platen.



RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona 400 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona 400 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.