Circa 1940 Smith Corona Silent / Sterling Typewriter with case (4s)

Circa 1940 Smith Corona Silent / Sterling Typewriter with case (4s)

from $1,197.00

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

classictypewriter.com

WHAT SETS US APART

Our Promise | Warranty | Working Guarantee | Lifetime Tradein Policy

RESOURCES

FAQ | Condition Explanation

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