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Note: Same keyboard; new photos added of the top side of the keyboard - I did some further cleaning.
From my collection you are looking at an IBM Model M Industrial Gray/Green Buckling Spring Space Saving Keyboard SSK Model 1395682 My other one sold earlier this month within 12 hours of listing it for my full asking price of $1,175 and I have decided to sell this example as well. In comparison the bottom of this unit is in much finer physical condition with significantly fewer scratches than the one that just sold. As you know this is one of the rarest IBM keyboards due to the significant expense and relatively limited production run of the original IBM Industrial PC's compared to other IBM PC's. Original-issue custom-function blue keys: This particular Industrial SSK is even rarer due to the original-issue custom-function blue keys with commands such as Read/Hold, Main Menu, and Suspend. In the GH/DT/Reddit forums only a few of these have ever been photographed by collectors around the world. Early-Issue Dot-Matrix Style IBM Label: This early production run Industrial SSK has IBM's dot matrix style label, which was used before they switched over to a laser printer label. Most Industrial SSK's I've seen online have been of the later production run with the laser printer label. Only a few of these factory-customized IBM Industrial SSK's have ever come up for sale and are known to still exist according to eBay and the geekhack/Deskthority/Reddit forums. Thoroughly cleaned inside and out but still shows dirt and scuffs/scratches from usage in an industrial environment: This unit is from my personal collection and has been thoroughly cleaned inside and out, key cap, stem, and barrel frame, has been fully tested, and works well. The typing feel is very smooth. Since being cleaned it has only been used briefly for testing. Unfortunately this unit still has some discoloration/dirt despite having cleaned it (as shown in the photos). Frame appears intact with no significant cracks or chips but has noticeable scuff/scratch marks primarily on the sides, possibly from being used in an IBM Industrial PC keyboard drawer. Please see the photos but be aware that these marks may not fully show up in the photos. All photos are of the currently-listed item. Some discolorations are also visible on top. These mechanical buckling spring keyboards are built to last - my main one still runs 100% despite being used since the mid-80s. Bolt/Screw Modded for added longevity: Model M's have plastic rivets that hold the internal metal back plate and keyboard frame together. The flimsy plastic rivets wear out and fall off over time and often reduce the feel and the useful life of these great buckling spring keyboards and cause a rattling inside the keyboard when they inevitably break loose. The plastic rivets have been replaced with screws/bolts on this keyboard. For more information on the different bolt/screw mod methodologies I recommend Googling and searching on the geekhack/Deskthority/Reddit forums for Model M "bolt mod" or "screw mod." There is a debate over the best method - bolts with nuts, bolts/screws without nuts, etc. My method involves straight drilling through the frame using a drill press and then carefully inserting the screws without overtightening. I have been successful bolt modding several Model M's in my collection with the nutless screw mod, which is the way preferred by some on the forums, by other highly reputable sellers on eBay and by a well-known Model M retail web site. This keyboard has a great, even feel in my opinion and should last you for years of consistent typing feel even with daily usage. A bolt mod takes hours (and patience!) to do but is well worth it for a premium Model M keyboard that you want to use every day. An unused IBM Industrial SSK with no IBM logo on top was bid up to $1999.99 earlier this year - see the listing here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Personal-System-2-Space-Saving-Keyboard-Model-M-Clicky-PS-2-New-Box-/131110156558 I remember when I bought the currently-listed unit my recycler source told me he pulled this unit from a 1990s-era IBM Industrial PC system. Some guesswork on my part regarding this unit's origins: Judging from the custom-function blue keys it was likely designed for a specific application of some kind. The 1395682 Industrial Gray unit was likely designed to run the same custom-built model of IBM Industrial PC that required custom key functions Read/Hold, Menu, Suspend, etc. Buyer has a choice of one cable (included but not pictured): either a used extra long SDL to PS/2 cable or a used regular-length one. Ships just about worldwide (feel free to ask if I ship to your country before bidding). I have been on eBay for over 10 years and will pack this order carefully. Shipping includes signature service (as required) and ships fully insured. I also have available a brand new, unused in original foam and tape packaging Model M 1391401 keyboard from 1993 in another listing. The brand new earlier, heavier production runs do not appear too often on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/joestran1/m.html |