Cherry keyboard - Mystery switch?

[snuci]

I thought this might be fun for some who like a good mystery...

Last week or so, I bought a couple of Cherry keyboards. They are from 1983 and they are terminal keyboards that appear to be convertible to XT keyboards according to this data sheet: w/images/3/33/BFN3-8354.pdf They appear to be just before the G80 line began.

The data sheet indicates that theses should be "solid state capacitive" key switches (foam and foil) but one of the keyboards has a broken key stem and it does not look like the foam and foil switches in my other Cherry solid state capacitive keyboard.

Cherry KFB3-8351 keyboard

Cherry KFN3-8351.JPG (181.83 KiB) Viewed 3135 times

It is a terrible picture but blown up and with contrast and brightness adjusted, the key stem appears to be white, flat and in an "H" pattern. You can barely make out two black guides that are built into the key switch body for the key stem to travel up and down on.

Broken key switch

Cherry keyboard - mystery key switch.jpg (127.74 KiB) Viewed 3135 times

It has been found that Cherry has made keyboards in the past with other manufacturers key switches. This thread from GH has pictures of a Cherry keyboard made for DEC that has Hi-Tek switches. It is an almost certainty that my keyboard has non-Cherry switches but I can't figure out whos.

I'll be getting the keyboard in a few days but I thought I'd put it out there to Cherry experts. What do you think?

[ramnes]

Can't tell much, but interesting nonetheless!

[kbdfr]

Seems to be the same kind of UFO as here, but upside down:

[photekq]

Very odd indeed. The keycaps look to be Cherry profile, but not Cherry font!

[MECHGAMER]

I was looking at that keyboard, but didn't know what switch it was and stayed away. When you get it, please take it apart and take pictures.

[snuci]

I'll put this here for now until I can take better pics...

Cherry - Shamrock foam and foil.jpg (345.03 KiB) Viewed 2992 times

[terrycherry]

That was...unbelievable! A new Cherry switch found and it had patent. We should find which patent it has.
Waiting for more picture here.

[Redmaus]

Is it tactile or linear?

[E3E]

Whoa, interesting to see! I'm curious about how this thing works and how the switches feel.

Indeed, are they linear or what?

[snuci]

[quote="E3E";p=294261Indeed, are they linear or what?[/quote]

They are foam and foil switches. More pics to come.

[snuci]

I bought both keyboards that the seller had to take advantage of reduced shipping over both and it turns out the second keyboard has slightly different switches plus white switches for the Enter keys!

Cherry split shamrock - white Enter key

Cherry split Shamrock -white enter.jpg (441.14 KiB) Viewed 2857 times

Photos thread coming soon for both.

[cherry-jade]

I got one.

[xiaodian317]

There are some old key switch(From M5 TO M9) before the CHERRY MX coming out.