Keyboard Rear Labels

Notice 2022-04-23:

This topic is a work in progress and is subject to vast improvements!

For the most part, IBM and family thankfully included strong documentation on the back of their keyboards in the form of a rear label that usually displays the keyboard's part number along with a date of manufacture. A birth certificate, if you will. Thanks to these, we're able to date most IBM and family keyboards since 1981. However, the style, format and even data points for these rear labels have changed over time, thus this topic will serve as a gallery of known rear labels that can show how they've changed through time and from one OEM to another.

Common datapoints IBM United States IBM United Kingdom IBM Netherlands IBM Mexico Lexmark Unicomp Maxi Switch Key Tronic XSZ IBM Retail Stores Solutions Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions

Common datapoints

Part number

A unique and typically 7-digit code used to describe a specific keyboard, usually by its layout and language. Whilst intra-part number varieties may exist, a given part number is expected to have a set number of features and specs. For example, a P/N 1391401 Model M is always expected to be a PC-compatible 101-key Enhanced Keyboard with a PS/2 connection.

FRU number

Also a unique and typically 7-digit code used to describe a specific keyboard but in the context of ordering a replacement for a specific keyboard. Unlike part numbers though, FRUs can specify a replacement that's in fact a different keyboard design but should still have similar functional capabilities (excluding key-switch design).

Assembly part number

IBM UK only, also called an internal part number. This one indicates the part number of the internal keyboard assembly and any keycaps on it for keyboards that are not monocoques. It doesn't represent the type of controller, presence of lock-lights or outer case of the whole keyboard. As such, multiple unique outer part numbers can share the same assembly part number. When present on the outer rear label, it's usually printed under the main part number in a smaller font.

Model

Before the mid-1990s, IBM and Lexmark rear labels could have a model field that indicates if the keyboard is designated a member of the Model F or Model M keyboard family. From that time onwards, IBM moved to assigning a model number for each keyboard release en masse. Typically, a model number from thereon would include two or three letters to indicate the OEM and 4 numbers to indicate the SKU. Common OEM codes include KB (Chicony), RT (NMB) and SK (Silitek or LITE-ON).

Date

Exactly what you expect, the date when the keyboard's manufacturing process was complete. The date format itself can be specific to a given factory's region or OEM convention. In some cases, the date may be a year along with either the week number or month.

IBM United States

1985-W02: P/N 6052141

Full keyboard name: IBM 3178-C4 EBCDIC Typewriter Keyboard

Keyboard type: Model F 3104/3178 Terminal Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1986-02-26: P/N 4176191

Full keyboard name: IBM 5291 Display Station Keyboard Unit

Keyboard type: Model F 5291 Terminal Keyboard

1987-11-10: P/N 1392595

Full keyboard name: IBM 3151 ASCII Display Station Keyboard

Keyboard type: Model M Enhanced Terminal Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1991-M06: P/N 1396199

Full keyboard name: IBM Numeric Keypad for IBM PS/2 L40SX

Keyboard type: Model M3 Numeric Keypad

IBM United Kingdom

1986-01-12: P/N 6111079

Full keyboard name: IBM 3180 Display Station Keyboard Element

Keyboard type: Model F 122-key Terminal Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1986-06-09: P/N 1389152

Full keyboard name: IBM 3179 Color Display Station Keyboard

Keyboard type: Model M Type I 122-key Terminal Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1989-09-15: P/N 1394324

Full keyboard name: IBM 3476/3477 InfoWindow Twinax Display Station Keyboard

Keyboard type: Model M Type III 122-key Terminal Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1997-06-17: P/N 1397003

Full keyboard name: IBM Personal System/2 Host Connected Keyboard

Keyboard type: Model M Type IV 122-key Terminal Emulator Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

IBM Netherlands

1987-07-14: P/N 0985955

Full keyboard name: IBM 3191 Display Station 122-key Typewriter Keyboard

Keyboard type: Model M Type II 122-key Terminal Keyboard

Notes for this rear label: Has no visible date, thus date must be read from the internal rear label.

Image source: https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?p=500098#p500098

IBM Mexico

1995-01-17: P/N 1391401

Full keyboard name: IBM Enhanced Keyboard

Keyboard type: Model M Enhanced PC Keyboard

Lexmark

1992-12-15: P/N 44G3620

Full keyboard name: IBM ThinkPad 700-series, 720-series & PS/55 Note C52 Keyboard Assembly

Keyboard type: Model M6 Laptop Keyboard Assembly

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1992-W02: P/N 1398051

Full keyboard name: IBM Space Saver Numeric Keypad

Keyboard type: Model M4 Space Saver Numeric Keypad

1994-07-15: P/N 232010-004

Photo shark_232010-004_Lexmark_940715.jpg

Full keyboard name: AST Ascentia 9x0N-series Keyboard Assembly

Keyboard type: Model M6-1 Laptop Keyboard Assembly

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1995-01-23: P/N 92G7461

Full keyboard name: IBM Enhanced Keyboard with TrackPoint II

Keyboard type: Model M13 TrackPoint II Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1995-02-06: P/N 84G6475

Full keyboard name: IBM ThinkPad 755C-series Keyboard Assembly

Keyboard type: Model M6-1 Laptop Keyboard Assembly

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1995-05-26: P/N 92F6320

Full keyboard name: IBM Retail POS Keyboard w/ Card Reader

Keyboard type: Model M7 50-Key RPOS MSR Keyboard

1995-08-03: P/N 84G2526

Full keyboard name: IBM Space Saver Numeric Keypad

Keyboard type: Model M4-1 Space Saver Numeric Keypad

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1995-11-06: P/N 1394204

Full keyboard name: IBM 3471 InfoWindow Enhanced Keyboard

Keyboard type: Model M Enhanced Terminal Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

1996-03-15: P/N 1397451

Full keyboard name: IBM Space Saver Keyboard

Keyboard type: Model M4 Space Saver Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

Unicomp

1999-04-14: P/N 84G2524

Full keyboard name: IBM Space Saver Keyboard

Keyboard type: Model M4-1 Space Saver TrackPoint II Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

2004-04-26: P/N 18P7970

Full keyboard name: IBM Enhanced Keyboard with Pointing Stick

Keyboard type: Model M13 FSR Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

2020-11-10: P/N UT40U4A

Full keyboard name: Unicomp New Model M

Keyboard type: New Model M Space Saving Full-Sized Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

Maxi Switch

1997-07-23: P/N 13H6705

Full keyboard name: IBM TrackPoint II Keyboard (Black)

Keyboard type: Model M13 TrackPoint II Keyboard

Image source: Admiral Shark's Keyboards

2000-11-03: P/N 92F6271

Photo ebay_92F6271_Maxi-Switch_001103.jpg

Full keyboard name: IBM Retail ANPOS Keyboard w/ Card Reader

Keyboard type: Model M9 RANPOS Keyboard

Key Tronic

1996-06-03: P/N 42H3979

Full keyboard name: IBM ThinkPad 365-series Keyboard Assembly

Keyboard type: Model M6-1 Laptop Keyboard Assembly

Notes for this rear label: One of two examples of a "KTC2" M6-1 rear label, made in Mexico. The format and styling seems identical to Lexmark M6-1 rear labels.

Image source: Volvo B5234T#0733