Smith Corona "Flattop"
The Smith-Corona "Flattop" was the successor to the Corona 4 and represented a total redesign of the Smith-Corona portable line. They came in 2 main variations: the Standard, which came in a short- and medium- length return lever, and the Silent, the higher-grade version with a tabulator system, paper-table extensions, and a curved return lever. They tend to be viewed quite highly, noted for their light touch and segment-shift.
History & Basic Info
Smith Corona "Flattops" succeeded the Corona 4 in 1931 and was built until 1941. Known as the "1 series" as their serial numbers started with the prefix 1C [Standard] or 1S [Silent], the Flattop was a near-complete redesign from the Corona 4.
Common Issues
The typebar linkages tend to come off rather easily on these machines, but are very easy to reattach with just a screwdriver. These machines are very mechanically sound and reliable, so they tend to age very well.
