IBM 3278

y11971alex · 19 Oct 2016, 00:54

I ordered this keyboard from a certain computer supplier in Minnesota for $75. Except for some blemishes and a snapped manual door retainer, this keyboard is in excellent condition. The metal plates show no obvious signs of corrosion, and the contamination shield seems largely intact, and the key feel is still quite tactile.

^the snapped, L-shaped retainer tab

^keyboard uncovered. It's the 75-key typewriter model, p/n 1742720

^the obligatory CANNON cable

^reverse view

^rubber foot

^interior, with the blue contamination shield

^controller board

^controller chip

^keyboard connector

^solenoid

^top case

^the spring-loaded manual door

^the threaded screw-hole

webwit · 19 Oct 2016, 00:57

Oooh very nice find, congrats.

I bet that rubber "contamination shield" is disintegrating just by looking at it, better not touch it!

seebart · 19 Oct 2016, 01:04

Congrats y11971alex, you got a good deal too. The IBM 3278 is such a monster of a keybaord, I have not looked at mine in ages.

Spoiler:

wobbled · 19 Oct 2016, 01:12

Wonderful find!

Definitely consider yourself lucky getting this for such a good price! Strange people like myself would be willing to pay more xD

Will you be converting it to be usable on a modern machine or leaving it original?

seebart · 19 Oct 2016, 01:14

wobbled wrote: Strange people like myself would be willing to pay more xD

Strange people like myself did pay more, quite a bit more.

Was it worth it? Sure.

wobbled · 19 Oct 2016, 01:22

seebart wrote:
wobbled wrote: Strange people like myself would be willing to pay more xD
Strange people like myself did pay more, quite a bit more. Was it worth it? Sure.

You lucky sod! Finding one in the UK is proving rather difficult. I suppose I could buy one off ebay for a ridiculous amount and pay half of that amount extra for shipping / import charges

I really do feel sorry for my wallet.

y11971alex · 19 Oct 2016, 02:16

The contamination shield is in surprisingly good condition, though, elastic still.

E3E · 19 Oct 2016, 03:19

Out of all the western IBMs, beam springs have fascinated me most, but I've never been all too compelled to find or buy one for myself.

At $75 though? Yes, all the yes. I would buy one in a second for that price. Like everyone else here has already expressed, you are very lucky!

y11971alex · 19 Oct 2016, 03:37

E3E wrote: Out of all the western IBMs, beam springs have fascinated me most, but I've never been all too compelled to find or buy one for myself.

At $75 though? Yes, all the yes. I would buy one in a second for that price. Like everyone else here has already expressed, you are very lucky!

I know that. That was why I emphasized to the seller that I want to pay immediately to seal the deal. I was afraid others might catch on, not saying that I want to deny you the chance to purchase!

chzel · 19 Oct 2016, 16:19

Oh so jelly! Really nice find alex! In such a good condition too!
I'd love me a small beamspring! My 3101 is a bit big! Not as big as the Displaywriter, but still!
I'm willing to offer $80 to buy it from you

y11971alex · 19 Oct 2016, 17:07

chzel wrote: Oh so jelly! Really nice find alex! In such a good condition too!
I'd love me a small beamspring! My 3101 is a bit big! Not as big as the Displaywriter, but still!
I'm willing to offer $80 to buy it from you

I can attest to that. I also have a 3101 :3

alh84001 · 19 Oct 2016, 18:10

Wow, such a beautiful board. One of the better catches this year.

And it sets a new reference price for beamsprings of an even $1 per key

y11971alex · 19 Oct 2016, 18:44

On GH I was touting a beamspring tour as part of my bet with another forum poster, and it seems this one is the ideal candidate if a tour is to happen. It's comparatively compact, flat, and light (for a beamspring, that is).