Teletype 40K 103 RCB keyboard

snuci · 08 Jun 2017, 18:17

I must say, this is a pretty cool keyboard. It is very similar to the Teletype 40K 104 DAB but I'm guessing the "RCB" of this model versus the "DAB" of Haata's model defines different options. There are distinct differences but since mine has "Patent Pending" versus the actual patents listed om the rear label, mine must be older and the "721 A?" stamp may be a date stamp.

The construction is the same as the DAB but this one has a single yellow dual action switch which appears to be different than the DAB model. Dual action, in this case is that it can be pressed with clicky response but you can then press it harder for a second click. Haata mentioned that this may be for auto repeat. This one also have washers between the key stem and the key cap on some of the keys. Not sure if there is a pattern.

Please refer to this forum post for pictures of internals. [Photos & video] Teletype 40K 104 DAB

Anyway, here are some pics:

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - angled view; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - angled view.JPG (231.53 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - top; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - top.JPG (334.02 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - bottom; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - bottom.JPG (215.28 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - front; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - front.JPG (266.65 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - back; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - back1.JPG (238.15 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB -Patent pending and datecode of 1972; Teletype 40K 103 RCB -Patent pending and datecode of 1972.JPG (306.18 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - rear connector; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - rear connector.JPG (306.52 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - angled view without case; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - angled view without case.JPG (236.52 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB -front case removed; Teletype 40K 103 RCB -front case removed.JPG (346.47 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - keycap close up; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - keycap close up.JPG (413.49 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - white and green key switches; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - white and green key switches.JPG (380.9 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - black caps lock key switch; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - black caps lock key switch.JPG (332.07 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - white yellow and green key switches; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - white yellow and green key switches.JPG (394.77 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - underside of key caps; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - underside of key caps.JPG (359.14 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - red lit key cap and switch; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - red lit key cap and switch.JPG (240.05 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

: Teletype 40K 103 RCB - lit key switches and key caps; Teletype 40K 103 RCB - lit key switches and key caps.JPG (326.98 KiB) Viewed 3860 times

cookie · 08 Jun 2017, 18:20

Most badass Knight Rider style keyboard I've ever seen. Real beauty! Thanks for sharing

seebart · 08 Jun 2017, 22:10

Yeah I remember this, congrats on finding one.

JP! · 09 Jun 2017, 03:18

Wow that is slick!

nsmechkb · 10 Jun 2017, 00:30

Beautiful photos!

Thanks for sharing.

mr_a500 · 10 Jun 2017, 09:46

I saw this on eBay and was going to get it until I saw the UPS shipping. Did you get screwed on the customs?

I love the keycaps on this thing. It's a pity that they're a bit yellowed.

Wingklip · 12 Jun 2017, 00:26

mr_a500 wrote: ↑I saw this on eBay and was going to get it until I saw the UPS shipping. Did you get screwed on the customs?

I love the keycaps on this thing. It's a pity that they're a bit yellowed.

The yellowing just makes it look cooler

mr_a500 · 12 Jun 2017, 00:53

Yeah, it's not really bad yellowing. I've seen far worse.

I still would have got it if it wasn't for the shipping. Seeing it was gone was a bit like a kick to the groin.

snuci · 12 Jun 2017, 13:12

Hey mr_a500. Welcome back!

This was shipped via USPS and the shipping was reasonable (I expect high prices these days). The keyboard is almost 9 lbs at a hair under 4 kg plus additional weight due to packing material would make it weigh more so I didn't question the shipping; especially since my best offer was accepted.

By the way, yellowing is almost imperceivable. The pics were taken with bad light so the arrows don't even look like the right colour. But in this case, any yellowing ads to the provenance of age so it looks great.

mr_a500 · 12 Jun 2017, 13:27

You're lucky he shipped by USPS. The listing said UPS - and when I see that, I just forget it.

Ah well... it's not like I needed another keyboard.

snuci · 12 Jun 2017, 13:56

mr_a500 wrote: ↑You're lucky he shipped by USPS. The listing said UPS - and when I see that, I just forget it.

Ah well... it's not like I needed another keyboard.

Now a days, USPS to Canada is so high that UPS plus the fees sometimes works out the same or less. If you get charged Customs on USPS, UPS will be less.

j0d1 · 12 Jun 2017, 14:24

I ALWAYS get charged customs by UPS. It feels like a scam.

snuci · 12 Jun 2017, 14:37

j0d1 wrote: ↑I ALWAYS get charged customs by UPS. It feels like a scam.

There is always a brokerage fee plus taxes, Via USPS, on the other hand, Canada Customs let's it go by more often than not depending on the declared value.

mr_a500 · 12 Jun 2017, 15:24

What really annoys the hell out of me:

Australia mail import limit before fees: $1000 AUD
US mail import limit before fees: $800 US ($2000 on some items)
Canada mail import limit before fees: $20 CAD (and this is currently $14.87 US!!)

What the fuck?