1956 Smith Corona Electric Portable #5TE 103431
Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 04-02-2024 at 06:24AM
Last Edit: 07-13-2025 at 04:27AM
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Description:
The earliest - to date - twdb serial number for the 5TE.
These machines were revolutionary. S-C makes the 6 series manuals second tier offerings. So when you compare your whatever to a 6, remember S-C is driving everyone else under the table with this electrified 5 series mechanism in a 5 body, with 5 controls. Easily a Top 5 game changer in the modern history of typewriters. Ted needs to write a full blown history on it.
Despite a few scars, this is a very nice example. O rings of course and no you don't need the $45 pair on ebay! It could use a bit more detailing, but it is in the typing rotation and hard to take out. The Q/q strikes soft and the shop manual has a complicated method for correcting this but I am going to need some more specialized pliers for this.
The perfect machine if it had 1/2 line spacing. 10/5/3/3/3/3 = 27/27
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
James Grooms's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 16093
Typewriters are the perfect blend of using one's technical skills, history and functional purpose. My goal is type tested machines. My interests are not isolated to anyone area. For example, I am a big fan of Smith Corona electrics, mid century electrics and all things Royal.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona Electric Portable on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona Electric Portable By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
