Smith-Corona · 1930s–late 1950s

Smith-Corona Silent

Name: Smith-Corona Silent
Brand: Smith-Corona
Availability: InStock

Typical used$110–$210

Portable1950sUSA

Smith-Corona used the Silent name across several generations: prewar L C Smith & Corona Silents (the maroon one is the rare colour), the late-1940s postwar machines, and the 1950s 5-series Silent built in Groton, New York. In the 5-series line-up, which ran from the Clipper and Sterling up through the Silent, Super and Silent-Super, the Silent sat in the middle; collector guides note the models type alike and differ mainly in features. These are basket-shift machines, solidly built, and the green-key 1950s Silent is the version you will see most. It is the budget alternative to an Olympia SM4 or Hermes 3000. In late 2026 about 17 were on eBay, mostly $110–210 delivered, and the one serviced machine was about $475.

Specifications

Brand: Smith-Corona
Type: Portable
Era: 1950s
Years produced: 1930s–late 1950s
Country of manufacture: USA
Carriage width: Full-size portable carriage (takes letter paper)
Pitch options: Pica, Elite
Ribbon spool: Group 1 universal
Typical asking price (eBay, Oct 1, 2026): $110 – $210

Buying guide

Which one to buy

From Oct 1, 2026 listings

17 Silents are listed, most at $110–210 delivered. The postwar Silent is the budget alternative to an Olympia SM4 or Hermes 3000, and green-key 1950s machines are the common version. Nearly all need the platen re-covered after 70 years, so budget $150–250 if you'll type daily. The one serviced machine is about $473; working, cased ones start near $120. Prewar L C Smith & Corona Silents also turn up, and colored ones like the maroon here carry a big premium. Watch for steep shipping on cheap listings, and for a 'Sterling Silent' title that mixes two model names.

Listed now: 17
For parts: 1
Typical ask: $110–$210
Full range: $40–$500

Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 1, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ — eBay shows your exact total before you buy.

Snapshot

Live on eBay right now

8 of 17 listed

Snapshot captured Oct 1, 2026 — listings may have ended

Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 1, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ — eBay shows your exact total before you buy.

Used
- ★ Cheapest
1950’s Smith Corona Silent Typewriter w/blk case Good Condition! Teal
$100.41est. delivered
$70.00 + $30.41 shipping
Buy It Now$70.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Teal, with a black case, good condition per the seller, about $100 delivered.
Seller: jbird800
100% positive from 490 ratings
View on eBay →
Used
- ★ Best value
VTG SMITH CORONA SILENT PORTABLE STEEL TYPEWRITER BLACK WORKS! w/case
$119.96delivered
$119.96 · free shipping
Buy It Now$119.96
Good buy
Works per the seller, case included, $120 with free shipping.
Seller: wefit_99
98.4% positive from 172 ratings
View on eBay →
Serviced
- ★ Best for beginners
- ★ Easiest to get working
Smith Corona Silent Portable Typewriter Green Keys Serviced Working w/
$473.46est. delivered
$429.67 + $43.79 shipping
Buy It Now$429.67
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
The only serviced Silent listed: working, green keys, with the case, about $473 delivered.
Seller: audioshroom
100% positive
View on eBay →
Used
- ★ Collector's pick
VINTAGE ART DECO LC SMITH & CORONA SILENT MAROON RED WORKING TYPEWRITE
$540.00est. delivered
$500.00 + $40.00 shipping
Buy It Now$500.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Prewar L C Smith & Corona Silent in maroon, working per the seller, about $540 delivered.
Seller: biptu4ume
100% positive from 6.2K ratings
View on eBay →
Used
Smith-Corona Sterling Silent Olive Green Portable Typewriter In Carry
$118.94est. delivered
$75.00 + $43.94 shipping
Buy It Now$75.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Olive green in a carry case, about $119 delivered. The title mixes 'Sterling' and 'Silent', so ask for the model plate to see which machine it is.
Seller: mcl892
100% positive from 180 ratings
View on eBay →
Used
Smith Corona Silent Portable Typewriter
$120.07est. delivered
$107.99 + $12.08 shipping
Buy It Now$107.99
Our take
Bare listing, about $120 delivered, Buy It Now. Ask whether it types and whether a case comes with it.
Seller: stainedglassart_123
100% positive from 1.3K ratings
View on eBay →
Used
1950s Smith Corona Silent Portable Typewriter Brown Green Keys Working
$153.95est. delivered
$125.00 + $28.95 shipping
Buy It Now$125.00
Our take
Brown with green keys, working per a 99% seller, about $154 delivered, Buy It Now.
Seller: dyhul31
99% positive from 399 ratings
View on eBay →
Used
1950s Smith-Corona Silent Portable Typewriter Tweed Case Made In Canad
$261.61est. delivered
$199.00 + $62.61 shipping
Buy It Now$199.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Canadian-made Silent with a tweed case, about $262 delivered.
Seller: jedimastergun
100% positive from 201 ratings
View on eBay →

Prices and availability change daily. The full, current search on eBay shows every matching listing, including new ones since Oct 1, 2026.

See all current listings on eBay →

What eBay condition grades actually mean

Manual typewriters here are 50–80 years old; the same condition badge means different things at that age than on a 2-year-old electronic. Use this as a translation key when you read listings.

New
New / new-old-stock
Vanishingly rare on a manual typewriter — most surviving units are 50+ years old. A "new" listing here usually means a late-production unit (e.g. a 1990s Olivetti Lettera 32 still sealed in factory packaging) or a seller misusing the badge. Verify the listing photos show the original packaging and factory ribbon spool; treat the price premium with skepticism unless those check out.
Refurbished
Refurbished / serviced
The body has been through a CLA (clean / lubricate / adjust) by a typewriter specialist — segment re-lubed, platen tested or re-covered, draw band re-tensioned, type slugs cleaned, key linkages freed. Expect a $100–250 premium over an unserviced "used" equivalent; the listing should name the shop (Gramercy, Cambridge, WordsAreWinged, etc.) or include a service receipt. Highest-confidence buy for a writer who wants to type the day it arrives.
Used
Used — tested / working
The realistic ceiling for most listings. Body types, carriage returns, escapement advances, shift works, ribbon advances. Cosmetic wear is normal. Look for "tested with fresh ribbon" (best), "tested — types all letters" (fine), plus a stated return window — anything short of that drifts toward "for parts." Platen rubber often still hardened on a "used — tested" body; budget $150–250 for a re-cover if you plan to type long-form on it.
For parts
For parts / not working
Sold as-is with no functional guarantee. Common project-typewriter failure modes: hardened platen, gummed segment (sticky keys), broken draw band, missing case, broken bell, dirty type slugs. Buy only to harvest components for another body, donate to a tech for spares, or accept the gamble of a $100–300 specialist CLA on top. The cheapest path to a typing body is almost always a "used — tested" listing, not "for parts" plus a service bill.

Accessories on Amazon

The ribbon, brush, platen fluid, and oil a body off eBay almost never ships with. The ribbon link is matched to Group 1 universal — the wrong spool is the easiest way to lose a typewriter purchase on the consumable.

Ribbon — Group 1 universal (most postwar portables)
Search on Amazon
Type slug cleaner brush
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Platen rejuvenation fluid
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Light machine oil (segment + rails)
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Replacement rubber feet
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Common issues to check before buying

Nearly all need the platen re-covered after 70 years, so budget $150–250 if you will type daily. Check the ribbon vibrator (the fork that lifts the ribbon) rises and drops cleanly and the ribbon reverses at the end of the spool. Gummed typebars and a dirty escapement are the norm on stored machines. Check the case and its latch, and confirm from the paper-table badge that you are getting a Silent rather than a Sterling or Clipper.

Notes on sources

Smith-Corona serial prefixes differ by series and model, so a serial number also helps confirm which 5-series model you have. Production years are approximate spans compiled from collector references (the Typewriter Database, oz.Typewriter, Ted Munk's and Richard Polt's typewriter pages). Individual machines are dated by serial number: look the serial up on the Typewriter Database's serial-number page for this brand rather than trusting a seller's stated year.