Smith Corona Silent / Sterling (Matte Black)
Elegant Reliability in a Bulletproof Case
Order Yours Today:
Order your typewriter today, and I will send you a beautiful specimen of this model in about 2 weeks.
Select AfterPay at checkout to pay in 4 interest-free payments.
It won’t be exactly as the machines pictured (all of which we recently sold) but it will be a beautiful working typewriter in comparable (or better) condition, serviced, adjusted, and ready to write!
Perfectly working typewriter. Types like a dream.
The Smith Corona 4S model 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. It is also a little more fluid than the gorgeous gloss ancestors (2S) available in Black and Maroon, which have essentially the same mechanicals and a similar feel as the Corona flattops from the same era.
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. The keytops look gorgeous and they lend to the quick action. The plastic keycaps on the later models create a little more space between the fingertips and the written word, which is subtle but palpable. That’s why I love these for those moments when the machine becomes an extension of the self.
I’ve written hundreds of pages on one of these, a Smith Corona Silent.
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.
Comes packed safely in eco-friendly materials, with a fresh ribbon, case, digital manual; adjusted and oiled for your writing pleasure.
Features:
Single, 1.5, and double line spacing.
Tab
Floating shift: Basket / segment shift
US QWERTY keyboard
10 or 12 character per inch serif font (Pica or Elite).
Black wear resistant crinkle paint
Paper supports
Ribbon auto reversal and a manual reversal switch
2-tone ribbon selector
Includes:
Fresh 2-tone ribbon installed
Lifetime Tradein Policy
Working Guarantee
Digital copy of the manual
Original hard shell case in usable condition. These are often quite worn at the hinges (which were designed to separate so the top of the case can come off).
The ‘Silent’ and the ‘Sterling’ are nearly identical, other than the decal on the paper support. As for ‘sound’, I think the Silent was once more insulated (with felt), and now that makes little difference. I generally sell them as one model, and will send you the best example I have. Though if you prefer one or the other, please request.
The ‘Silent’ has a drum around the mainspring, and a felt key rest. It also has a quieter mainspring, or so the brochure says.
Here is a
If you have specific requests, you can place them in the form during checkout.
Most sincerely,
Steven Budden Jr.
Classic Typewriter Co.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
RESOURCES
WHAT SETS US APART
Our Promise | Warranty | Working Guarantee | Lifetime Tradein Policy
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