[Ended] IBM 3270 APL Buckling Spring Keyboard converted to USB

[JP]

https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/1394625

[Techno Trousers]

Shame it's a Model M instead of a Model F.

[JP]

Shame it's a Model M instead of a Model F.

 

[LightningXI]

https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/1394625

Are the caps original IBM ones or the ones made by Unicomp?

[Techno Trousers]

They look like Unicomp to me. Quite orange. But I don't know how to tell for sure.

[Rob27shred]

They're Unicomp's caps for sure, the real APL caps with orange sub legends have sub legends on the numpad & front legends on a bunch of caps. Also not 100% sure, but I do not think the top rows on battleship APL boards had F keys. I think they all were like the ones in the pic below (PF), possibly with different or no blue sub legends. i have a APL set from Unicomp for my Model M & the barren looking numpad is the big giveaway. Although to be fair they are pretty decent caps for the price & they send you fresh barrels not just the tops.

[Techno Trousers]

Thanks for the education! Is that your gorgeous F-122?

[JP]

The picture on Unicomp's site is kinda low but from the evidence I've gathered I would say they are not Unicomp's APL keys but rather IBM/Lexmark transition era. I did get one so I can share my findings. One hallmark is the font itself! The font Unicomp used on their APL keys is different than what IBM used. Unicomp's are a light orange color possibly with fading in some places. This was before they switched over to the current offering of the blue APL keys.

Exhibit #1 - The OG of OG IBM APL keys


Exhibit #2 - IBM 1389194
This keyboard was not intended for PC use, but rather with a 3192 terminal for mainframe computers (3270 coax interface). We also see these APL keys on some F122's.



Exhibit #3 - IBM APL keys sold separately for the Model M (NOS from the box  ). Likely Late 80's/early 90's vintage.



Exhibit #4 - Older vintage Model F/M APL Vs Unicomp Orange APL




Exhibit #5 - Present Day


Finally putting it all together...


 

[Rob27shred]

The picture on Unicomp's site is kinda low but from the evidence I've gathered I would say they are not Unicomp's APL keys but rather IBM/Lexmark transition era. I did get one so I can share my findings. One hallmark is the font itself! The font Unicomp used on their APL keys is different than what IBM used. Unicomp's are a light orange color possibly with fading in some places. This was before they switched over to the current offering of the blue APL keys.

Exhibit #1 - The OG of OG IBM APL keys
(Attachment Link)

Exhibit #2 - IBM 1389194
This keyboard was not intended for PC use, but rather with a 3192 terminal for mainframe computers (3270 coax interface). We also see these APL keys on some F122's.
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

Exhibit #3 - IBM APL keys sold separately for the Model M (NOS from the box  ). Likely Late 80's/early 90's vintage.
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

Exhibit #4 - Older vintage Model F/M APL Vs Unicomp Orange APL
(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

Exhibit #5 - Present Day
(Attachment Link)

Finally putting it all together...
(Attachment Link)

You'd know better than me, so I'll go with you on this. Although I still think it may have some Unicomp caps on it like the F row. It looks like I was wrong about the numpad though as the one example you posted has the barren numpad also.

Thanks for the education! Is that your gorgeous F-122?

No problem, but it looks like I might have missed the mark from JP's post below mine. Also no it is not, wish it was, but just a pic I found while comparing known OG APL set to the one on the board Unicomp is selling.

[JP]

This just arrived in the mail today 

https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=23141