Vintage IBM 3277 keyboard with internal Micro Switch keyboard assembly
I recently acquired an IBM keyboard that was pretty dirty but I felt I could clean it up and refurbish it quite nicely. I knew this to be an old IBM keyboard but there are two variations of this keyboard including one with IBM beam spring key switches and a second one with Micro Switch key switches. These keyboards are very rare with only one other keyboard with Micro Switch internals surface from the past.
This keyboard is from the 14th week of 1972 according to the Micro Switch keyboard assembly identification and this is further confirmed through the date codes on various integrated circuit components. The Texas Instruments keyboard controller from the sixth week of 1972 and the IBM “key clicker” circuit board is dated August 18, 1972.
In researching information, this keyboard was found in the IBM 3277 Troubleshooting Guide found on Bitsavers here. This is known as the “typewriter keyboard” model. If you have any further information on this keyboard or knows of others (Seebart on Deskthority is the other) than please leave a comment.
Pics of the keyboard as I received it:
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- IBM 2621364 – Dirty top view
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- IBM 2621364 – Dirty side view
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- IBM 2621364 – dirty key caps removed
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- IBM 2621364 – Dirty key cap view
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- IBM 2621364 – dirty dusty sliders
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- IBM 2621364 – dirty bottom view
Pics of the keyboard cleaned up:
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- IBM 2621364 – keyboard top
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- IBM 2621364 – keyboard profile
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- IBM 2621364 – angled key stems
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- IBM 2621364 – key caps removed with cord
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- IBM 2621364 – keyboard assembly top removed
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- IBM 2621364 – Micro Switch keyboard assembly with paper cover
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- IBM 2621364 – cardboard PCB cover
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- IBM 2621364 – Micro Switch keyboard assembly without cover
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- IBM 2621364 – keyboard assembly
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- IBM 2621364 – keyboard controller IC
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- IBM 2621364 – keyboard assembly markings
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- IBM 2621364 – keyboard PCB back
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- IBM 2621364 – clicker circuit board far
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- IBM 2621364 – clicker circuit board
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- IBM 2621364 – clicker circuit board close up
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- IBM 2621364 – key stems
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- IBM 2621364 – bottom of key switch removed
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- IBM 2621364 – stabilizer key switch
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- IBM 2621364 – plate that key switch connects to
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- IBM 2621364 – keyboard asembly indentifier
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- IBM 2621364 – Micro Switch 1SW12-BL key switch
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- IBM 2621364 – key switch taken apart
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- IBM 2621364 – key switch parts
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- IBM 2621364 – key caps
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- IBM 2621364 – key caps removed
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- IBM 2621364 – metal top cover external
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- IBM 2621364 – metal top cover interior
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- IBM 2621364 – keyboard bottom
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- IBM 2621364 – bottom plate part number
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- IBM 2621364 – shiney key caps
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- IBM 2621364 – cable end
I recently obtained a IBM 3277 keyboard. It was part of a large amount of electronics I bought @ auction. Thanks for helping me identify the keyboard.
Oddly, these switches have been demonstrated to be tactile:
https://plot.ly/~haata/287/
The only distinct difference in the pictures between 1SW12-BL and other SW switches is a pair of ridges on the back of the plunger, that perhaps engage with some kind of spring within the shell.