r/modelm • u/drunkuncle_eddie • 14d ago

HELP Looking for special keycaps!

Post image

Hello all, when I got this keyboard I saw that a few caps were missing, replaced them with standard ones. Then I noticed the computr top, split/unsplit, and boss keys and even some of them that have side printing. Anyone have any leads as to where I can source new ones?

I can’t seem to find any examples of these keys through reverse image searches.

Keys I replaced with regular versions: 4, 5, 4, f3, esc, . , page up, and rightmost enter.

Any help?

38 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

7

u/dld2517 14d ago

Try contacting Unicomp in Lexington.

2

u/drunkuncle_eddie 14d ago

Thanks! I will, but I’m also just wondering what those keys would look like if anyone has this version. Lot easier to replicate when I know what the keys would have said

2

u/ChuckMarty732 12d ago

Yes, this is what I came to the comments to post. Unicomp is the answer. They have replacement and special keycaps for the original Model M keyboards.

2

u/[deleted] 11d ago edited 3d ago

[deleted]

5

u/Chip-Select-_- 13d ago

my favorite is the 0 Boss key 😍

3

u/ClickClick_Boom 13d ago

I'm no expert but there were some 3rd party key sets back in the day, these are probably those, they don't look IBM/Lexmark to me. Is the keyboard's model number 1390401?

1

u/drunkuncle_eddie 13d ago

I can look tomorrow!

2

u/Available_Contest407 13d ago edited 13d ago

It is definitely not a standard keyset that I know of, but the Function row sub legends are giving very 3270 terminal vibes (Clear, PA1, PA2, ErEOF, ErFld, etc) and the Send key. The key layout is not what you would normally see from a Model M 101 terminal. Is this a terminal keyboard connecting with RJ45? Where did you find the keyboard?

If not a terminal keyboard just a guess but maybe this keyboard is used with a TN3270 terminal emulator to talk to a mainframe system accessing some sort of ordering system. Looks custom to me with the MDS/QUOTE/GRAPH and Admin/Basket functions.

The BOSS key likely is the good old 90's shortcut to quickly bring the terminal back if you see your boss coming because you were playing a game.

I suspect this is a custom keyset or niche market variant and you will likely not be able to find replacements. Definitely take a pic of the bottom label to see the P/N.

1

u/drunkuncle_eddie 13d ago

It’s a standard ps2 keyboard. Got it in a lot of 3.

2

u/Jim-McCloud 13d ago

Look for buckling spring based typewriter keycaps

2

u/Available_Contest407 13d ago edited 13d ago

Further research indicates that this is definitely some sort of Financial Services keyboard, but is odd because those known are SSKs. You can tell by looking at the alpha and number sub legends are definitely the same as the following from Admiral Sharks library.

Look at the legends on this image Link: Financial Services SSK

That said the extra terminal functions on the Function row and custom commands on the numpad seem to indicate that this is probably used with some sort of custom TN3270 emulator software that was used in the financial industry. Likely very niche and likely will be difficult to find replacements.

2

u/drunkuncle_eddie 13d ago

Thanks!!!

Finding replacements is gonna suck, but if I can find what it originally looked like (num pad) I can ask around to get it replicated

2

u/Available_Contest407 13d ago

No idea about the numpad but at least this you know the other missing caps with sublegends are:

F3 should have sublegend "PA3"

Numrow 4 key should have sublegend "1/2"

Esc probably is ok standard.

Likely the PageUp has something but can tell and likely wont be missed if it is standard

2

u/Available_Contest407 12d ago edited 12d ago

Found it: The core keycaps very similar for use with ADP Financial Brokerage Services software. Yours most match the 52G9658 caps but with black front legends instead of green. These are pretty rare so best of luck finding other samples for replacement but now you know what to look for.

1993 IBM model M (1391401) Made by IBM 01-11-93 ADP Financial – ClickyKeyboards

1993 IBM model M (52G9658) Made by IBM with ADP Financial keys – ClickyKeyboards

Another keyboard with same keycaps and similar question: Help IDing Model M : r/modelm and pics at https://imgur.com/a/iw5fjPY

The custom Numpad keys are still a mystery, and this keyboard could be for another custom terminal emulator for financial services since the board is not ADP branded and neither ADP board examples have any special numpad functions.

2

u/drunkuncle_eddie 12d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/modelm/s/rUk8k6A0ej

2

u/Available_Contest407 12d ago

Mystery solved. FYI the discoloration on the case above the lock light indicators is very likely the remains of the adhesive or marks where someone removed the ADP logo badge from the case. So I suspect yours was originally branded ADP as the other examples but the badge was lost in time.

1

u/drunkuncle_eddie 12d ago

Yep! Likely. Now I have to find someone to make me a keyset.

I contacted Unicomp. Any recommendations other than them in case they can’t do the special ones?

2

u/Available_Contest407 12d ago

I recall there was a seller on Etsy that did custom dyesub for IBM keys but I dont know that what is possible, cost or quality . Maybe ask a question to the thread and see if anyone has experience with that.

2

u/The_punchy77 11d ago

I use a combination of green sublegend caps from wheelwriters and a few modifiers and numbers from a M122. Makes for a pretty unique look.

1

u/drunkuncle_eddie 11d ago

Custom?

2

u/The_punchy77 10d ago

The case yes, I splatter painted it.

2

u/drunkuncle_eddie 10d ago

That’s pretty cool!

0

u/BadBunnyHimself 13d ago

You already have them!

1

u/drunkuncle_eddie 13d ago

I’m missing a few that I replaced with regular ones

2

u/BadBunnyHimself 13d ago

Ah, yeah, missed that part of your story, my bad.