geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: ander on Sat, 22 April 2017, 04:09:02
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Okay, this Model M 1391401 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-model-M-vintage-clicky-keyboard-9-03-91-100-working-tested-buckling-spring-/152519953927) is on eBay:
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
The 1391401 is the typical Model M, and everything about this one is what you'd expect—except this:
[attachimg=3]
Excuse me—ExSel instead of Esc? What does it mean? And why is this on a '401, when IBM was so crazy fond of creating new p/n's for even the most minor variations?
I'm thinking maybe this board did originally have an Esc, but the cap got lost and someone substituted ExSel from a terminal M. (I can't say for sure I've seen ExSel on a terminal M, but it seems like one of those terminal-style legends, doesn't it?)
Whaddaya think? I know this is the sort of thing that delights you guys, and I wouldn't want to deny you any excitement, cap-wise.
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ive had some of those caps and i think it was from a model m 122.
My guess would be that you are on the money and someone just ut it on.
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ExSel (which I believe comes from "Extended Selection") is a key that you usually see on 3270 terminal emulator boards, and acts as a kind of modifier (see http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/ibm/3174/GA23-0332-2_3174_Terminal_Users_Reference_for_Expanded_Functions_May89.pdf)
As to why it's on that keyboard, your theory is the most likely: the original Esc was lost and someone substituted it for a key off an unused terminal keyboard. The fact that it has a label indicating that it was property of a College furthers this idea.
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Makes sense—thanks! (And be grateful I didn't say "I tip my cap to you.")