How rare are international model Ms?

[wumpyr]

I would love to get my hands on an Italian layout Model M - classic, spacesaver, m13 - whatever, as long as it is buckling spring.  I'd probably hand over a very decent amount of cash for a good one.

I see there was one sold previously in the clickykeyboard's archive.

What are my chances of finding such a layout? Or should I just give up, roll over and die?

Does anybody have an Italian M they would part with?

thanks

[xyzzy]

International layout Model M have been manufactured mostly in the "classic" version (1391404). Sometimes you can spot one on ebay.it.

Once you have one (or more ), you can look for a Unicomp Model M 85key spacesaver (UNI04C6), which is the only M spacesaver with ISO layout ever produced, and swap the keycaps with the 1391404 as you can see here.

Regarding the M13, I've seen some with ISO layout (IIRC french or canadian layout), if you can get one you might be able to do the same keycaps-swap with the 1391404.

[wumpyr]

Excuse my ignorance, are the unicomp keyboards manufactured with key caps+stems or a single key piece like the M13?

[iMav]

Excuse my ignorance, are the unicomp keyboards manufactured with key caps+stems or a single key piece like the M13?

Yes.  

They offer both, depending on color and preference.

If all you care about is ISO layout with buckling spring, why not simply order a new Model M from Unicomp with blank keycaps?

[wumpyr]

Hi iMav

Yes, I could, but I would prefer an original Model M  Does unicomp sell just the keycaps?  I'll probably take their italian keycaps and retrofit an original ISO Model M.

[Etinin]

I think they do. You should contact them.

[wumpyr]

Jim Owens from unicomp tells me that they sell a complete button set that are compatible with ibm/lexmark model Ms in most languages for $20. Sweet.