Smith Corona Silent / Sterling (Matte Black)
Elegant Reliability in a Bulletproof Case
Order Yours Today:
Welcome to one of history’s finest typewriters, lovingly restored for your writing pleasure.
Order now. In about 2 weeks, you’ll get a stunning, authentic, lovingly-restored specimen of this model in the condition selected.
🎥 Includes video tutorial for setup & care
🛡️ Lifetime trade-in policy - 100% credit toward upgrade
The Smith Corona Silent (and nearly-identical Sterling) from the 1940s is the fastest, most fluid vintage typewriter you can own.
These machines bridge classic elegance with modern reliability—earlier than the Super but more refined than the Corona Four. Built during the Golden Age of American manufacturing, they represent typewriter engineering at its peak.
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WHY THE SMITH CORONA SILENT/STERLING IS LEGENDARY:
Fastest typing action - Lightning-quick, loose action perfect for speed
Segment shift design - Earliest basket shift adds to speed and reliability
Glass keytops - Beautiful round keys with perfect tactile feedback
Bridge model perfection - More reliable than Corona Four, more refined than Super
Golden Age American manufacturing - 1940s quality, built to last
Practical durability - Vintage styling with modern reliability
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Smith Corona Silent/Sterling Classic Typewriter Scorecard
⭐ Typing Experience: 10/10 Lightning-fast, loose action—the quickest of vintage machines
⭐ Portability: 8/10 True portable with case, substantial but manageable
⭐ Durability: 9/10 More reliable than Corona Four, built to last decades
⭐ Design: 9/10 Elegant matte black with gorgeous glass keytops
⭐ Ease of Use: 9/10 Intuitive, beginner-friendly, segment shift design
⭐ Maintenance: 9/10 Reliable, minimal upkeep needed
⭐ Collectibility: 8/10 Sought-after 1940s classic, strong value retention
⭐ Noise Level: 5/10 Moderate (despite "Silent" name after 80 years)
Overall Score: 8.4/10 - Speed Champion
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WHY THE SMITH CORONA SILENT/STERLING IS LEGENDARY
Fastest typing action - Lightning-quick, loose action perfect for speed
Segment shift design - Earliest basket shift adds to speed and reliability
‘Glass’-style keytops - Beautiful round keys with perfect tactile feedback (they’re not glass, they LOOK like glass).
Bridge model perfection - More reliable than Corona Four, more refined than Super
Golden Age American manufacturing - 1940s quality, built to last
Practical durability - Vintage styling with modern reliability
CHOOSE YOUR CONDITION:
EXCELLENT = Daily Writer
Fully restored and ready for heavy use. Clean, smooth, reliable. All mechanical issues addressed. May show light cosmetic wear from 80+ years of age. Perfect for writers who want a working tool, not a museum piece.
BEST = Investment Grade
Museum-quality restoration. Pristine cosmetic condition. Collector-grade aesthetics with flawless mechanics. These are the machines that appreciate in value. Comes with 3-YEAR WARRANTY (vs 1-year for Excellent).
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YOUR SMITH CORONA INCLUDES:
✓ Fully restored Smith Corona Silent or Sterling (1940s model)
✓ New professional ribbon installed (black)
✓ Original case
✓ Detailed care instructions
✓ Video tutorial - Setup, maintenance, and writing tips
✓ Warranty coverage (1-year EXCELLENT / 3-year BEST)
✓ Lifetime trade-in policy (100% credit toward any future purchase)
✓ Custom hand-typed note
PROFESSIONAL RESTORATION BY EXPERT TECHNICIAN:
Every Smith Corona receives a complete mechanical restoration:
Full disassembly and deep cleaning
All mechanical adjustments and repairs
New rubber platen (roller) installed
New rubber feet installed
Type cleaning and alignment
Tension and spacing calibration
Final quality inspection by Steven
These aren't just "cleaned up" - they're fully restored to like-new performance.
🎥 INCLUDES SETUP & CARE VIDEO TUTORIAL
Your Smith Corona comes with a detailed video tutorial covering:
Unboxing and setup
How to load paper correctly
Ribbon changing and maintenance
Typing technique for vintage machines
Care tips to keep it running forever
Troubleshooting common questions
New to typewriters? This video makes getting started effortless.
INDUSTRY-LEADING WARRANTY:
EXCELLENT: 1-year comprehensive warranty
BEST: 3-YEAR comprehensive warranty (best in industry)
Covers all mechanical issues. If anything goes wrong, we fix it. Period.
LIFETIME TRADE-IN POLICY:
Changed your mind? Want to upgrade? We offer 100% trade-in credit (what you paid) toward any future typewriter purchase. Forever. Try that with any other vintage seller.
PROFESSIONAL SHIPPING:
📦 Ships in 2-3 weeks after order
📦 Professional packing - double-boxed, fully protected
📦 Shipping: $60-125 depending on location (calculated at checkout)
📦 Continental US only (contact us for international)
We've shipped thousands of typewriters without incident. Your machine arrives safe and ready to write.
Classic Typewriter Benefits
✓ 1,176+ SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
✓ Chapel Hill, NC based - American owned & operated
✓ Expert restoration - not just cleaning
✓ Honest grading - we under-promise, over-deliver
✓ 3-year warranty available (BEST tier)
✓ Lifetime trade-in policy
✓ Real human support - talk to Steven directly
We're not flippers or hobbyists. This is our craft.
Every machine is restored by a professional technician who's done thousands of typewriters.
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PRODUCT-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS:
What's the difference between "Silent" and "Sterling"?
They're nearly identical—just different decals. The "Silent" was marketed with extra felt insulation (now minimal after 80 years). We send whichever is in better condition unless you request otherwise.
Is it actually silent?
No—the "Silent" name was 1940s marketing. After 80 years, both models sound similar. Expect a moderate, pleasant mechanical sound (not silent, not loud).
What's "segment shift" mean?
The entire typebar basket shifts instead of the carriage. This was cutting-edge in the 1940s and makes the typing action faster and more reliable than older designs.
Can I request a specific model (Silent vs Sterling)?
Yes! Note your preference at checkout. We'll send your preferred model if available, or the best specimen we have.
How fast is "fastest"?
These have the loosest, quickest action of any vintage portable. If you're a fast typist, you'll love how these keep up.
What character spacing is available?
Most are Pica (10 characters per inch). Elite (12 characters per inch) available by request if in stock.
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MADE-TO-ORDER MODEL:
Order your typewriter today, and we will send you a stunning specimen of this model in 2-3 weeks (see current turnaround time).
It won't be the exact specimen(s) pictured—you'll get a stunning, authentic, lovingly-restored typewriter in the condition selected.
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WHY STEVEN RECOMMENDS THIS MACHINE:
"I've written hundreds of pages on one of these. While I've had countless typewriters pass through my hands, my go-to model is one of these. The vintage styling with the practicality, durability, and reliability are all I ever need."
"The Smith Corona 4S is the elegant bridge between the more modern machines like the Silent Super and the older Corona Four. It is more reliable than the Corona Four (and less fragile), and slightly higher quality and a different aesthetic than the Silent Super."
"These machines have a very fast, loose action. I find them the quickest of vintage machines. And they are the earliest machine with a segment (or basket) shift, which adds to the speed. That's why I love these for those moments when the machine becomes an extension of the self."
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STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
📋 View our complete FAQ for shipping, warranty, returns, care, and more!
📧 Email: steven@classictypewriter.com
SPECIFICATIONS:
Model: Smith Corona Silent / Sterling 4S
Manufacturer: Smith Corona (USA)
Manufacturing Period: 1940s
Dimensions: 13" W × 13" D × 6" H (approx)
Weight (with case): ~17 lbs
Weight (without case): ~14 lbs
Keyboard Layout: QWERTY, US
Type: Manual portable, segment shift
Features: Tab, 3-position line spacing, ribbon reverse, 2-tone selector
Shift Mechanism: Floating shift (basket/segment shift)
Type Size: Pica (10 char/inch) or Elite (12 char/inch)
Paint Finish: Black wear-resistant crinkle paint
Platen Width: Standard letter size
Case: Original or quality replacement included
Condition: Professionally restored
New Parts Installed: Platen, feet, ribbon
Warranty (Excellent): 1 year comprehensive
Warranty (Best): 3 years comprehensive
Lead Time: 2-3 weeks
Shipping Region: Continental US
Return Policy: 15 day + Lifetime 100% trade-in credit
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If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to ask. (There is also a form at checkout where you can put requests, concerns, usage, etc).
Most sincerely,
Steven Budden Jr.
Classic Typewriter Co.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
WHAT SETS US APART
Our Promise | Warranty | Working Guarantee | Lifetime Tradein Policy
RESOURCES
This is one of my favorite typewriters of all time. It’s a survivor. I’ve compared it to many more refined and recent models and somehow it still sings. Because what newer models gain in precision, they lose in reliability and elegance. These models hit a sweet spot because they have all of the features you’ll likely need, while still maintaining the antique aesthetic.
The Smith Corona Silent Sterling typewriters are bulletproof, and so well-engineered that almost everything that goes wrong with them requires a simple adjustment to repair. The bottom is left open as in many earlier models, so that dust just falls right through. Mine has been sitting out in the elements for years without any sign of slowing down. I l like it out because a glance at it inspires me to pound out page after page. I’ve written at least two novels on this machine.
The round, glass keys add an iconic look that is difficult not to be inspired by. The streamlined, rounded finish make for a timeless desk-piece.
Mostly, I love how it writes. It is one of the earliest typewriters to incorporate a basket shift, rather than the more cumbersome carriage shift. They called it the ‘Floating Shift.’
There is something beautiful about the black and chrome finish dancing together.
You have to turn the machine around to physically set the tabs in the rear. Occasionally the carriage return lever pops out during typing, and perhaps occasionally she skips a space or doesn’t advance during the fastest typing sessions, meaning over 90 words per minute. Most people, under most circumstances, won’t notice this.
They have a cover that hinges rather than comes off entirely (though you can unscrew it). This is useful because the cover rarely gets misplaced.
Technicians love these machines because they are forgiving to work on.
They are heavy, and the case is heavy. Not ideal for constant carrying.
Specifications:
Size:
Weight:
Features:
Segment (aka Basket) Shift
Glass Keys
Durable, simple case that survives
Large ‘hard to miss’ space bar and carriage return lever
Clear-ringing bell
Insulated innards render it quieter than earlier models
Low maintenance design
Robust draw spring mechanism
Two-Tone Ribbon Selector
Tabulator