Machine Details
Smith Corona
Coronet Automatic 10
197x (Groton, New York)
6ESD-109492
Available for Acquisition
Pica, 10cpi
Segment
QWERTY
Portable
Manual Electric
10"
13.8 × 12.4 × 5.9"
≈18 lbs.
Yes
Machine Description
The Coronet Automatic 10 is Smith Corona’s portable electric from the early-to-mid 1970s, built for home and light office use. The “10” refers to its standard 10-inch carriage. Its defining feature is automatic key repeat on every key, something Smith Corona had been refining since their first portable electric in 1957. Hold a key down and it keeps printing. Useful for underscores, dashes, and fill lines.
What to know about this machine:
- Electric assist makes the touch lighter than any manual portable, but the spacebar still requires deliberate pressure or it will skip.
- The carriage and type action are mechanically straightforward. Parts availability is reasonable, and most service issues come down to the motor capacitor or a dirty type mechanism.
- Ribbons are standard twin-spool, still in production and easy to find.
- The “Automatic” in the name distinguishes it from the earlier Coronet Electric line. Same chassis lineage, but the repeat function became the marketing point as competition stiffened in the 1970s.
These are reliable users rather than display pieces, and prices reflect that. A clean, working example runs $50 to $100 (as of this writing). If you want a 1970s Smith Corona electric that actually types well day-to-day, this is a solid choice.
Serial Number Location:
Stamped on to the bottom of the frame, visible by looking at the left side of the bottom of the machine
Features
- Tabulator
- Ribbon Selector Bichrome + Stencil
- Variable Line Spacing
- Margin Release
- Copy/Impression Control
- Paper Support
- Pop-up Ribbon Cover
Condition Report
Bell is present in machine, but does not ring
Condition Notes
Upper (exposed) interior parts could use a cleaning, the inside mechanics are nicely clean.
Provenance
Secondary B
Originally purchased from someone clearing out his late father’s home. This typewriter was in his dad’s garage, by his estimate, for the past 40 years (thankfully, in its case).
Type Specimen
