IBM Selectric is a Tough Typewriter

I had a scare last night.  Been a long day.  I was doing some non-typewriter tasks in my office.  While carrying a box of files I backed into the typewriter stand on which set my Selectric I.  Well, over went the stand and typewriter face first with a crash onto the metal leg on my desk chair.  I just knew the typewriter would be a loss.  When it hit I saw a piece go flying.

Upon inspection the right side platen knob was broken off and the platen itself freely turned.  I regained my composure and studied the again upright typewriter and stand.  No obvious nicks in the paint.  I figured out that the paper lever had been pushed forward allowing the platen to freely rotate.   A simple flip and that was corrected.  I then tentatively flipped the switch and hoped for the best.  The old Selectric came right on, sounded fine, and performed flawlessly through a couple of lines of typing.

Luckily the right hand platen knob had broken freely off the machine in one piece.  Super Glue on three points, and the after sitting overnight was as good as new (There is a very small chip in the plastic).  So, big heavy Selectric typewriters are apparently really made to take abuse.

By-the-way, I have been unable to locate a good source for Selectric serial numbers.  If anyone knows a reference please let me know.  I did see another one with a slightly lower serial number and it was stated to have been manufactured in 1964, so I am assuming mine is about 1965.  The serial number is 5239981.

More to come...................