Machine Details
Sears
Forecast 12
1967
S6FV-119993
Available for Loan
Presidential, Pica, 10cpi
Segment
QWERTY
Portable
Manual Electric
12"
17 × 12.5 × 5.5"
≈14.81 lbs.
Yes
Machine Description
Sears never manufactured typewriters. It contracted established makers, mostly Smith Corona, to build machines sold exclusively through Sears stores and catalogs. The Forecast 12 sat toward the upper end of that lineup, a step above Sears’ basic portables, aimed at buyers who wanted a wider carriage without stepping up to a full office machine. Sears sold it under its own label from 1966 to 1970, one of dozens of Smith Corona-made machines wearing a Sears badge during that era.
This model, #871-4030, comes with the Presidential Pica typeface: a uniquely elegant letterform that stands apart from the more common typewriter typefaces. Presidential Pica has a clean “square serif” look at a standard pitch size of 10 characters per inch (hence the “Pica”).
Highlights
- Full-size 12-inch carriage. You get room for wide ledger sheets or landscape orientation on standard paper, a real advantage over the standard 9-inch carriage most portables carried.
- Styling borrowed from Smith Corona’s 6 series, the same body lines and control layout as their branded machines from the period.
- Three-layer shell construction: an inner plastic core sandwiched by outer panels. It kept the machine light without the cheap feel some later all-plastic bodies had.
- Has the ‘Change-a-Type’ (sometimes called Changeable Type) system that allows users to swap out specific type slugs and keycaps to type with special characters (such as math symbols, engineering signs, or foreign punctuation). This machine includes the “International Kit” for the characters of: ¸~ `´ ^ ¨ ¿
- The machine in the Typeworks collection includes the original ‘Cartridge Ribbon’ covered spools. There’s not a lot of information about these online as most of these disposal cartridges have been lost to time. Fortunately, the Forecast 12 can use most any modern universal typewriter ribbon spool as a replacement.
- Has a dedicated ‘paragraph key‘ (¶) that automatically advances the carriage a set number of spaces (5, in this case) to create a standard paragraph indent as well as ‘half-space‘ and ‘repeating space‘ features.
General thoughts
This is a Smith Corona under a different name plate, and it behaves like one. The action is smooth, the mechanism reliable, and parts and ribbons are still easy to source. One known weak point: the right-side carriage release handle is prone to snapping off on machines from this run. If yours is intact, treat it gently. If it’s already broken, the carriage still releases fine from the left side or via the metal prong underneath, so it’s a cosmetic loss more than a functional one.
For collectors, the Forecast 12 is a good entry point into Sears-branded machines: solid mechanics, distinctive wide-carriage utility, and a direct line back to Smith Corona’s own engineering.
Serial Number Location:
Stamped into the bottom of the frame. Viewable through a small rectangular opening in the bottom/base of the machine's exterior. Serial Number Location Image
Features
- Special Characters ¸~`´^¨¿
- Tabulator
- Ribbon Selector Bichrome + Stencil
- Margin Release
- Copy/Impression Control
- Paper Support
Condition Report
A snappy, responsive typer. Feels good to type, but sounds a bit harsh (each letter like a small crack of a very tiny whip)
Moves solidly and cleanly.
Good condition, but a bit stiff (which could be part of the cause of noise when typing)
Good; feeds accurately & as expected.
Types cleanly, as expected.
All keys & functions work, including the unique paragraph key.
Seems clean & clear, but a bit light (most likely due to age of original ribbon)
All in line & good.
Great shape.
Has original spools. Worth trying to manually re-spool new ribbon vs. disposing of them. All parts work well.
Bright, clear & a good loudness.
Includes original lable on bottom of machine.
All good.
The feet of the plastic 'Sears' nameplate panel had been previously broken off. Re-glued & restored now.
Related Resources
Type Specimen
