“Sterling” is just one of many instances of Smith Corona’s recycling of its model names.

You can find examples from the mechanical typewriter era, the electromechanical typewriter era and, as in this case, the electronic typewriter era.

Note the STERLING “SCM” decal, which helps to date this typewriter.

A new Smith Corona logo was introduced following the acquisition of the SCM Corporation by London-based Hanson Trust PLC in June 1986. After 52 percent of the Smith Corona typewriter business was sold by flotation on the New York Stock Exchange in 1989, references to its diversified parent, SCM Corporation were dropped to bolster brand recognition.

This allows portable electronic typewriters with an SCM decal to be dated somewhere between late 1987 through to 1989, although models bearing the new Smith Corona logo were also produced during the same period:

On this “Sterling” model, the newer Smith Corona logo is confined to the rear badge – a badge which identifies this typewriter as “Model 5A”:

Even though the serial number inside the machine begins “5BAA”:

It’s hard to know exactly what the differences between Models 5A and 5B are, if any.

5A/5B models are the smallest portables of four distinct “5 series” (5L, 5P, 5A/5B, 5F). Within that 5A/5B grouping, typewriters come in small and medium sizes.

The first 5A models to be released in September 1987 (according to USA advertising) were two smaller sized models XL 1000 (5AEA) and XL 2000 (5AEB).

These models have a ribbon cover with a raised lip, rather than a ribbon cover that sits flush with the outer shell, as seen on all subsequent 5A and 5B models:

5A/5B (small) models hark back to the 5P series in that they have a one-piece lid. A protrusion on the top left hand side is designed to accommodate the platen release lever:

(Or at least they usually do, my Sterling is missing its lid.)

Subsequent 5A/5B models (released circa November 1988 according to USA advertising) are more plentiful and include but may not be limited to the XL 1500, 1850, 2500, XE 1600, XE 1630, 300 DLE, 345 DLE, Mark 100, 200, VI, Deville 450, 80, DX 2600, SD400 , SL 80, SL 500, CXL 4000.

Medium sized 5A/5B models, like the SD 670 (5A-1) below, have a power switch to the left rather than the right of the keyboard:

They also have a keyboard cover rather than an all-enclosing top lid:

These medium-sized models also have a rear power cord compartment. Invariably, the fragile compartment door at the rear is broken and/or missing:

5A/5B series (small) portables like the Sterling get around the broken door problem by having an external power cord stow:

This is a design feature that these 5A/5B models share with portables of Brother’s first (circa 1989) “Correctronic” series of portables, for example, the Brother AX-110:

Since Smith Corona 5A/5B portables came earlier, it seems the latter came up with the idea first. If they did, Brother certainly improved on it. Note how the cord holder on the AX-110 has more clearance. It also incorporates a holder for the UK plug.

In fact, it’s not hard to notice (especially if you own both models) that the build quality of the Brother portable overall is much more robust.

When it comes to build quality, all Smith Corona 5A/5B and 5F (larger) portables score badly. These typewriters are notoriously fragile. I already mentioned the fragility of the rear compartment door. Worse still is the fragility of the hinges on the ribbon cover and a prong alongside the left-hand hinge:

The prong is used to disable operation of the typewriter when the cover is open. Unfortunately, a broken prong will make the typewriter inoperable PERIOD.

Still, I like the simplicity of the black on dark mist design of this model in particular.

Another comparison with the Brother AX-110 that can be made are the paper labels on the front of each typewriter.

Why both the Sterling and the Brother AX-110 have their country of manufacture (Indonesia and the UK, respectively) prominently labelled on the front of each machine, is most likely a result of UK trade regulations (both these examples were sold in the UK).

The Sterling keyboard is surprisingly tactile and responsive, however its pad-printed key legends (as a consequence of its low-cost manufacture) make it more collectible than it is usable.

When it comes to the availability of ribbons, Smith Corona H series ribbons and printwheels are still reasonably easy to find online.

Smith Corona adopted a proprietary 96 character non-cassette printwheel for all its later portables and word processors. These seem a bit flimsy compared with the better quality drop-in cassette wheels provided by Brother.

Given they were mass-produced, Model 5A/5B “Sterlings” are hardly rare.

Smith Corona Sterling: 6 out of 10 (Design =1.5, Build Quality =1, Technical Specification =1, Usability =1, Collectability =1.5)

Brother AX-110: 9 out of 10 (Design =1.5, Build Quality =2, Technical Specification =1.5, Usability =2, Collectability =2)

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