1961 IBM Model C Typewriter
Specifications
| All Returns Accepted | ReturnsNotAccepted |
| Brand | IBM |
| Type | Electric |
| Year | 1961 |
| Material | Steel |
| Country/Region Of Manufacture | United States |
| Vintage | Yes |
A working desktop model weighing 46 pounds. Used at the receptionist's desk in a medical office in the 80's. In climate-controlled storage ever since. Condition All parts are intact. All metal and very solid. Shows minor external wear, but no damage. The keys, chassis, base, faceplate and electrical cord are freshly cleaned. The internal mechanisms have been dusted with pressurized air, and judiciously brushed with alcohol, but not fully disassembled for cleaning. Some residual dust remains in hard-to-reach crannies where it has adhered to the lubricant oil with which some components are coated. Functionality Plugs into an ordinary 120V wall outlet. Powers on when the On/Off switch under the front right corner is flipped and begins to make a soft, satisfying hum. The motion of the carriage is smooth, and all keys, tabs and controls work properly. The keys remain frozen in place when the unit is off, and for several minutes after it is turned on, before becoming suddenly usable. This seems to be the time it takes for an internal capacitor to charge, but this is only a guess on the part of the seller. Work/Supplies Needed Does not come with a ribbon or paper. Typebars have been cleaned to the point of usability, but not tested in an actual use case. If the unit is used for typing, the typebars may need cleaning again, shortly. If the delay between power-on and key function is not a normal aspect of the Model C design, it may indicate that the capacitor in the unit has deteriorated. If so, it would need to be replaced. Any new capacitor with the same specifications as the original would work, regardless of type. An original replacement part would be neither necessary nor recommended, as capacitors of some kinds are unlikely to remain functional for decades, even if never used, and can in some cases burst or leak corrosive fluids if mishandled.
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