Old IBM Model M serial numbers
Posted: 07 May 2023, 19:45
Wondering why some older IBM Model M serial numbers (ID numbers) begin with a letter? Like this one, serial number F4185? Did the letter mean something special?
I would ask for a source for this but it seems this might be AI-generated...emmafrost1 wrote: ↑18 May 2023, 13:39Yes, the letter at the beginning of an IBM Model M serial number does mean something special. The letter indicates the plant where the keyboard was manufactured.
A: Lexington, Kentucky
B: Chicopee, Massachusetts
C: Austin, Texas
D: South Carolina
E: Japan
F: Mexico
G: Taiwan
H: China
So, your keyboard with the serial number F4185 was manufactured in Mexico.
IBM changed the format of their serial numbers in the early 1990s, and the letter at the beginning of the serial number was no longer used to indicate the plant of manufacture.
Pulled from my database , an early production Model F AT. I was wondering what this particular ID meant. I didn't believe it to be the 55th unit produced.sharktastica wrote: ↑18 May 2023, 21:18[*] 55 = Greenock: spotted at the start of serial of most IBM UK Model Ms from before 1996.
Yes, both the user’s posts look to be keyboard related AI. I say we ban them on the third. Should be along plenty soon.sharktastica wrote: ↑18 May 2023, 21:18I would ask for a source for this but it seems this might be AI-generated...
Looks like the folks at Greenock forgot the rest of the ID! For reference, he's some completed Model F IBM U.K. birth certs:
Indeed! Here is an example of my UK XT. Btw, both of my UK F's are the German variants.sharktastica wrote: ↑18 May 2023, 23:24Looks like the folks at Greenock forgot the rest of the ID! For reference, he's some completed Model F IBM U.K. birth certs:
Ah this one is interesting.JP! wrote: ↑18 May 2023, 23:15Pulled from my database , an early production Model F AT. I was wondering what this particular ID meant. I didn't believe it to be the 55th unit produced.sharktastica wrote: ↑18 May 2023, 21:18[*] 55 = Greenock: spotted at the start of serial of most IBM UK Model Ms from before 1996,
AT.jpg