IBM 122 Key, is it normal to have different serial numbers inside and out?

[Justblair]

I have not seen mention of this before.  I recently purchased an IBM 122 Key Terminal keyboard and last night I managed to got the thing open for a quick onceover.

I had already noticed that the sticker on the underside of the keyboard looked a little different to the pictures that I have seen elsewhere on line. 



However when I opened it I found this label on the metal base of the keyboard.



I am reasonably sure that this is the original machine as the manufacture dates coincide from inside to out.  I just wondered if anyone could shed a little light on the matter

[Halvar]

Yes, I had that with all Model M keyboard I've disassembled, 2x AT and 1x 122. I guess the inner sticker is the serial number of the inner assembly, which should be the same for several  international versions.

 

[fohat.digs]

Numbering systems seem pretty bizarre and random sometimes.

Model F XTs and ATs did not even have numbers on the outside, and others have had numbers out but not in.

And, of course, all but one of my F-122s had to be built, Frankenstein-like, out of parts salvaged from more than one carcass .....

[Justblair]

Thanks for that. 

I can't see any rhyme or reason to the serial numbers or model numbers.  It makes it hard even to buy a BS keyboard.

I managed to grab this one for about £40 online as the seller I think had no photo and did not describe it as Model M or Clicky.  I think that the sheer number of model numbers worked in my favour.  This model does not show up on the usual wiki pages or Model M sites so it took a little detective work to work out if it was clicky.

It is in very good condition.  I have ordered key caps from Unicomp to give me a more conventional layout and a few springs.

[fohat.digs]

I am rather surprised that it does not say "Model M" somewhere, I thought that the Greenocks included that, but maybe they had to drop it outside the US after the Lexmark deal.

The 139xxxx number is a clue but not a certainty.

[ch_123]

I've never seen a Greenock made board with a Model F or Model M designation (although the IBM Mexico ones are marked as "Modelo M"). I think they were just manufacturing designations as I've never seen any IBM document refer to them by their model designation.

[rootwyrm]

Actually, this is perfectly normal and entirely expected. Look again at things. You have two different part numbers - of course you have two different serial numbers. You have two separate PNs for the actual buckling spring assembly and the assembled keyboard. That's normal for a Greenock.

That sticker looks like it may be a small quantity run - they'd not do a bulk sticker run for smaller batches. Just print as-needed; it's not like they don't have label printers. The PN seems common enough that it's probably a service part or FRU for a specific language configuration or specific keyboard configuration. It's not unexpected or abnormal to see labels like that.

Seems perfectly normal to me; especially for a '96. Don't read too much into mismatches like that - they happen ALL the time throughout the entire production line. As I said - you've got two distinct assemblies, it's not uncommon to have two different serials and part numbers.