[GreenKeys] Western Union 103 Teleprinter

[Duncan Brown]

The Model 100-104 were not made by Teletype Corp. They were designed by 
Western Union as a lower cost replacement for the M15 and manufactured 
by a typewriter company. About 6500 were produced between 1937 -1945. 
They cost about 1/2 what the M15 cost, but they did not hold up as well, 
either and WU went back to buying Teletype Corp. equipment.

We  have one at the AWA Museum, in good condition, but I've never done 
anything with it. It has no power cord, so that may be an indication 
that it has problems. WU also had their own tape perforator and tape reader.

Have fun,

Duncan
K2OEQ




On 2/1/2020 16:13, Hugh Pyle wrote:
> I've come across a Western Union "Teleprinter 103" in moderately rough 
> condition, with a few missing keys.  The cabinet is very rusty, and 
> the typing unit looks gunky and dusty but relatively workable.
>
> This article has some commentary 
> (https://archive.org/details/TheDeafAmerican226February1970/page/n20/mode/1up),
> "Model 103 comes from the family of Model 100s made by the Teletype 
> Corporation some years before the Model 15s came into existence. The 
> units of Model 100s are very similar with respect to each other and 
> will be designated thereafter as Model 103 in this article for 
> brevity... The Model 103s mechanics is quite different from that of a 
> 15 since its type bars are stationary while the paper roller is moved 
> from left to right as the machine prints. The keyboard of a Model 103 
> is a delight and is the lightest to the touch of any of the 
> teletypewriter models described in this series. For this reason many 
> people prefer the Model 103 unit over any other model in spite of its 
> age".
>
> Does anyone have more information on the Model 103 unit?
> And, any suggestions on parts sources?
>
> A couple more photos:
> https://photos.app.goo.gl/7UUsZYqhSEi2a5uw5
>
>
>
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