Re: early HP-80 restoration and Tallnut HP-41C question. Message #4 Posted by Michael de Estrada on 6 Aug 2009, 1:33 a.m., in response to message #3 by Geoff Quickfall
Geoff,
I own or have owned all 4 versions of the HP-80, to wit:
Version 1 - metal trim strip and "Hewlett Packard" on front label
Version 2 - metal trim strip and "Hewlett Packard 80" on front label
Version 3 - silver painted trim strip and "Hewlett Packard 80" on front label
Version 4 - silver painted trim strip and "Hewlett Packard 80" on front label and OFF / ON labels raised molded and not painted
Now, all 7 of these calculators have/had the serial number prefix 1247A. The only difference was in the following 5 digit sequence number. The version 1 is 07486 and the version 4s are 53367 and 58340. So this whole bit about the prefix being the year and week of manufacture is pretty much off base. I'd say the sequence number is the better indication of the manufacturing date.
The 43253 sequence number that is shown on the paper s/n in your photo is consistent with the numbers on my version 2s, which are 27000, 44973 and 50245.
I can believe that HP would replace the back label, but why bother with the front label, that does not have to be disturbed when opening.
Therefore, it appears to me that you have a version 2, not a version 1, and that nothing has been changed.
As far a Dan's comment regarding the aftermarket non-OEM back labels, I bought some of these, and they are all identifiable by their lack of the bottom text "MADE IN U.S.A., PATENT PENDING, 3.75V 500 MW". When I inquired with the seller of the label as to why he didn't include this, I was told that he didn't want to violate any laws, which helps prevent fakes from being made like the fake RED DOT that was recently on eBay.
Michael
|