Need help IDing IBM Model M variant

Aristo · 24 Jun 2016, 09:38

Hello, everyone!
I've run into a bit of a puzzle trying to identify this Model M:

It was advertised as a 42H1292, but I thought that model always had the IBM logo in the top left in an oval. Wikipedia says that the only model with a logo under the lock lights is the 1393669, and that has a Yugoslav layout. So I'm pretty puzzled as to what this keyboard really is. It's definitely PS/2 with six pins and the date of manufacture was listed at 02-08-01. I haven't got a picture of the back label, but I've asked for one from the seller.
Any help would be appreciated!

emdude · 24 Jun 2016, 09:48

It is a Unicomp-manufactured Model M keyboard. It is indeed a 42H1292 in essence, as are all other Unicomp Classic keyboards that followed. I believe they still made keyboards for IBM for a brief time after the company's inception. They still use that same case mold too.

Aristo · 24 Jun 2016, 09:51

So not every 42H1292 has the usual oval logo in the upper left corner?
I just thought this one was peculiar, since I've never seen the IBM logo inside the lock light panel. Usually you'd find the Unicomp logo there in later models.

emdude · 24 Jun 2016, 09:55

It is pretty unusual, I've only really seen this particular case on Unicomp keyboards.

rootwyrm · 25 Jun 2016, 17:31

emdude is correct. This is a 42H1292 bottom half, with an OEM-prepped top half wearing IBM branding. Remember that IBM, Unicomp, and Maxiswitch did ODMing of the M's for a variety of companies. Note the rectangular cutout top left. That's for the OEM badge.

This keyboard was likely assembled toward the end of a run without enough top covers, or as a replacement part for IBM to make good on a service contract. So it's mechanically and electrically identical (it has to be, per contract) but visually distinct. This is a pretty uncommon find to say the least - I've never seen one with the IBM logo window that also had the Unicomp 'graphic' legends.

Aristo · 26 Jun 2016, 20:30

rootwyrm wrote: emdude is correct. This is a 42H1292 bottom half, with an OEM-prepped top half wearing IBM branding. Remember that IBM, Unicomp, and Maxiswitch did ODMing of the M's for a variety of companies. Note the rectangular cutout top left. That's for the OEM badge.

This keyboard was likely assembled toward the end of a run without enough top covers, or as a replacement part for IBM to make good on a service contract. So it's mechanically and electrically identical (it has to be, per contract) but visually distinct. This is a pretty uncommon find to say the least - I've never seen one with the IBM logo window that also had the Unicomp 'graphic' legends.

Thanks; that's a very helpful analysis! When you refer to the top/bottom halves, are you distinguishing the F key row from the rest of the board?
I caved in and purchased the board, as I've been wanting a Model M for some time and haven't found one locally. I had it for $50 USD plus shipping.
Is the unusual case of this board enough to make it particularly valuable, or is it just an odd duck? I also managed to get a shot of the underside from the seller:

emdude · 26 Jun 2016, 20:51

This is what he is referring to when he says top/bottom halves.

And the board is unusual, yes, but probably not particularly valuable, being a Unicomp keyboard.

rootwyrm · 28 Jun 2016, 20:38

emdude wrote: This is what he is referring to when he says top/bottom halves.

And the board is unusual, yes, but probably not particularly valuable, being a Unicomp keyboard.

Er, Unicomp made a very large chunk of M's and had the original tooling because for certain contracts, IBM was required to do significant parts of the manufacturing in the US. Almost exclusively GSA stuff. So they couldn't just grab a stack of boards made in the UK or Mexico. It's no different from an IBM "made by Lexmark" since Unicomp was Lexmark.
If you look at the label it specifically declares "Assembled in the US" - which tells me this was absolutely a GSA customer board. It does not tell me if it was a service rebuild (e.g. 1992 internals and a new Unicomp made case) or if it's all new. It definitely was manufactured as a service replacement part for contract obligations. Based on the PN (42H1292) it's a "generic service part." I've seen a variety of windows used on these. For example:

So, ultimately, it's no more or less valuable than any other Model M. Being built by Unicomp really has no bearing on it. It certainly could be worth more to a collector with an eye toward oddities, but that's a question of the individual and the market. It also could be worth more to a user, due to the younger age. If someone's after a birthday board, it could be worth more to them. Values on boards like these are highly subjective.

emdude · 28 Jun 2016, 20:57

Interesting, I suppose there isn't a way to determine if it is a service rebuild using older internals with OP's board.

I guess I am in the crowd that stigmatizes Unicomp. But it is well-known that Unicomp-made Model Ms are made with inferior materials. So at the very least, OP's particular board may have an inferior case since IIRC, Lexmark/Unicomp changed the material used to make the case around 1998, whatever mix they use now has been known to flex/creak and yellow. Then again, it may have been manufactured before then.

Yes, I was judging it subjectively, but general opinion is that Lexmark and especially Unicomp Model Ms are less valuable, if only somewhat, than original IBM-made boards for their cost-cutting. There are some people who do prefer Lexmark boards though!

snuci · 28 Jun 2016, 23:49

Similar to the OP, I have a terminal board with an IBM model number of 1392595 but it's a later Unicomp terminal keyboard. Pics are below. It has an IBM bottom (as the plastic mold marks indicate) but the top is definitely a Unicomp or Lexmark creation. There are no mold marks that indicate a maker. The keyboard controller, however, is all Unicomp. Nice buckling spring keyboard just the same. The legends are laser sharp on this which I thought was not supposed to be the case?

Aristo, it's still a nice board even though the "Model M purists" will complain

: Unicomp 1392595 - top; Unicomp 1392595 - top.jpg (372.48 KiB) Viewed 3515 times

: Unicomp 1392595 - bottom; Unicomp 1392595 - bottom.jpg (259.9 KiB) Viewed 3515 times

: Unicomp 1392595 - markings; Unicomp 1392595 - markings.jpg (218.92 KiB) Viewed 3515 times

: Unicomp 1392595 - controller; Unicomp 1392595 - controller.jpg (282.04 KiB) Viewed 3515 times

seebart · 29 Jun 2016, 00:06

Very interesting that yours has those same graphic legends on the num-pad like this 1395764 of mine, can you tell me anything about those legends snuci?

: photo 1-2.JPG (135.86 KiB) Viewed 3515 times

: photo 2-1.JPG (208.56 KiB) Viewed 3515 times

: IMGP2013.JPG (947.49 KiB) Viewed 3513 times

emdude · 29 Jun 2016, 00:18

snuci wrote: Similar to the OP, I have a terminal board with an IBM model number of 1392595 but it's a later Unicomp terminal keyboard. Pics are below. It has an IBM bottom (as the plastic mold marks indicate) but the top is definitely a Unicomp or Lexmark creation. There are no mold marks that indicate a maker. The keyboard controller, however, is all Unicomp. Nice buckling spring keyboard just the same. The legends are laser sharp on this which I thought was not supposed to be the case?

The mold marks you are referring to, are they on the interior of the case?

I am curious about how you can tell; I never paid much attention myself to the mold marks, but I recall seeing IBM branding on the interiors of the cases of various Model Ms I have worked with. That said, I have only worked with IBM-manufactured Model Ms for the most part.

What rootwyrm educated me on is pretty fascinating, it makes a lot of sense that some of these Model Ms would be serviced with case replacements and whatnot.

snuci · 29 Jun 2016, 00:39

seebart wrote: Very interesting that yours has those same graphic legends on the num-pad like this 1395764 of mine, can you tell me anything about those legends snuci?

From what I've seen, this is the keyboard from an IBM 3151 serial terminal. Since yours is from Europe, yours may be from an IBM 3152 terminal (these were released in Europe according to the IBM 3101 Wikipedia page. There are a couple of threads on the IBM 1392595 keyboard here as well.

seebart · 29 Jun 2016, 00:44

Hmm cool thanks. I got it as a christmas gift, it's in very good condition. There are so many different Model M's out there I guess.

snuci · 29 Jun 2016, 00:45

emdude wrote: The mold marks you are referring to, are they on the interior of the case?

Yes. I have a picture below of this keyboard. This, of course, could be old stock from Lexmark or they may have decided that there was no need to change the original IBM bottom case mold so they were still using it to create new parts at the time in late 1999.

: Unicomp 1392595 - bottom case mold marks; Unicomp 1392595 - bottom case mold marks.jpg (174.44 KiB) Viewed 3481 times

emdude · 29 Jun 2016, 00:52

Thanks for the photo; that's the branding that I recall.

I wonder if one would be able to find that on a modern Unicomp Classic. If I remember correctly, Unicomp still uses the original tooling for the case molds. I don't know if they use the same molds for the bottom half of the case though.

fohat · 29 Jun 2016, 01:06

snuci wrote:
it's still a nice board even though the "Model M purists" will complain

I have never liked the 1390120 or terminal family without the LEDs, but that "IBM" sticker for the blank rectangle where the lights should go is cool!