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Cherry M4, M5 and M6 variants

The following page provides known details of Cherry M4, M5 and M6 part numbers. See also the Serie M4/M5/M6 schema.

See M4/M5/M6 examples for keyboard examples found to date.

M4, M5 and M6 are the US-made series. For the German-made switches, see M7 variants.

Contents

Sources

Some data on this page lists comes from official Cherry catalogues and advertisements. These sources include:

See Cherry catalogues on the Deskthority wiki for copies of some of this literature.

Still required

Catalogue types

The following is the list of known types from the 1973, 1974, 1979 and 1982 catalogues and the 1985 EEM advertisement.

“✗” denotes parts that are listed as discontinued in the publication in question.

Two M7 types are listed, simply because these were advertised in the US alongside the US-made types.

Part Type 1973 1974 1979 1982 1985 Notes
M41-0064 Momentary illuminated
M41-0100 Momentary illuminated 6 oz
M41-0103 Momentary illuminated Resurrected?
M41-0104 Momentary illuminated 10° cf. M41-0123
M41-0123 Momentary illuminated cf. M41-0104; 0° in the 1979 and 1980 price lists
M41-0125 Momentary illuminated
M41-0126 Momentary illuminated
M41-0127 Momentary illuminated 10°
M41-0128 Momentary illuminated 10°
M41-0802 Alternate action illuminated
M41-0803 Alternate action illuminated 10°
M41-0822 Alternate action illuminated
M51-0106 Space bar
M51-0107 Space bar 10°
M51-0143 Momentary 6 oz T
M51-0182 Momentary 10° T
M51-0226 Momentary 10° 6 oz T
M51-0227 Space bar T
M51-0228 Space bar 10° T
M51-0229 Momentary tactile 3 oz T 4 oz. nom. in the 1979 and 1980 price lists and 1986 advertisement.
M52-0104 Momentary 2A Possible error? Still refers to M62-0110 for 10°
M61-0025 Shift
M61-0026 Shift 10°
M61-0027 Shift lock
M61-0028 Shift lock 10°
M61-0100 Momentary The 1985 advertisement gives M61-0120 as replacing this.
M61-0110 Momentary 10°
M61-0120 Momentary T The 1985 advertisement notes that this replaces M61-0100.
M61-0300 Shift
M61-0310 Shift 10°
M61-0500 Shift lock
M61-0510 Shift lock 10°
M61-0800 Alternate action 2½ oz. in 1973
M61-0805 Alternate action 6 oz
M61-0806 Alternate action 10° 6 oz
M61-0810 Alternate action 10°
M62-0100 Momentary 2A 2½ oz. in 1973
M62-0110 Momentary 2A 10°
M62-0900 Momentary 1A+1B 2½ oz. in 1973
M71-0037 Momentary illuminated German-made
M71-0100 Momentary illuminated German-made; Cherry drawing dated May 1974, last revised November 1981

Known variants

The weight ranges indicate tolerance. For example, M71-0100 was listed in Germany as 85±25 cN, and in the US as 2–4 oz. The US figure of 2–4 oz is just an alternative way of writing 3±1 oz, for which it is roughly equivalent (85±25 cN is 60–110 cN, and 2–4 ozf is 55.6 to 111.2 cN). The reverse was also seen: M51-0131 was documented in the US as 70±14 grams actuation force and 90±15 grams total travel force, and in Germany as 57–85 and 75–105 cN respectively.

Notes given in quotation marks are the descriptions or comments given in the catalogues.

Where the source of information is the NSN (NATO Stock Number) part details, the specifications given are not proven, as many NSN switch records online are incorrect.

M4

M4 switches are corner illuminated, and may take one or two lamps. All the models listed in the 1979 and 1982 catalogues have the contact terminals on the left, and the lamp terminals on the right. However, there was also at least one model with the lamp terminals on the left alongside the contact terminals. Cherry provided separate models for single or dual lamp positions, with the single-lamp switches offering either a front or back lamp (on either the left or right side, depending on the orientation of the switch). The dual-lamp switches have the two lamp positions on the same side. The dual-lamp shell can also be found with only a single lamp fitted (with one set of lamp terminals absent).

The following diagram illustrates the plate cutouts given in Cherry’s 1979 and 1982 catalogues. Production keyboards may not necessarily use these hole shapes. The terminal positions are also shown.

M4 switches could use normal Cherry 12 mm straight stems, in 0° and 10° angles. A specific “round” mount was also available, being a narrow horizonally-truncated cylindrical shaft. Both momentary and alternate action were offered, as well as indicator switches that are locked in place, serving only to provide a light-up legend.

M4 switches are designed to accept industry standard T-1 bi-pin incandescent bulbs. Some types listed in the German parts sheets included a 5 V lamp or LED. The 1979 and 1982 US catalogues list some models as having no lamp fitted (but no details of what lamp is fitted to the others), while the 1970 and 1980 price lists give most or all models as having no lamp. M41-0803 is the only type in the 1979 price list that does include a lamp, but in 1980 the lamp was no longer included with that model.

Part Action Stem Angle Lamp Lamp position Force Contacts Notes Source NSN
M41-0064 Momentary Straight None Front and back right 2½ oz. nom. 1A “lens lighted” Catalogues
M41-0100 Momentary Straight 6 oz. 1A Catalogues
M41-0103 Momentary Round None Front and back right 2½ oz. nom. 1A “full top lighted” Catalogues
M41-0104 Momentary Straight 10° None Front and back right 2½ oz. nom. 1A “lens lighted” Catalogues 5930-01-086-9139
M41-0105 Momentary Round 5 V 140–200 cN 1A Cherry M41 parts sheet
M41-0107 Momentary 1A Tektronix 4027
M41-0108 Alternate 1A NSN 5930-01-086-9139
M41-0111 Momentary Round 5 V 80–150 cN 1A Custom part for NCR Cherry M41 parts sheet
M41-0112 Momentary Round None 80–150 cN 1A Custom part for NCR Cherry M41 parts sheet
M41-0113 Momentary Round 5 V 140–200 cN 1A Cherry M41 parts sheet
M41-0114 Locked (dummy) Round None None Custom part for NCR Cherry M41 parts sheet
M41-0115 Momentary Straight LED 57–85 cN 1A Custom part for S.E.C.R.E. Cherry M41 parts sheet
M41-0116 Momentary Straight None 57–85 cN 1A Custom part for S.E.C.R.E. Cherry M41 parts sheet
M41-0123 Momentary Straight 10° None 2½ oz. nom. 1A “lens lighted” Catalogues
M41-0125 Momentary Straight None Front right 2½ oz. nom. 1A “lens or top lighted” Catalogues
M41-0126 Momentary Straight None Back right 2½ oz. nom. 1A “lens or top lighted” Catalogues
M41-0127 Momentary Straight 10° None Front right 2½ oz. nom. 1A “lens or top lighted” Catalogues
M41-0128 Momentary Straight 10° None Back right 2½ oz. nom. 1A “lens or top lighted” Catalogues
M41-0800 Alternate Round None 105–170 cN 1A Cherry M41 parts sheet
M41-0802 Alternate Round None Front and back right 2-4½ oz. 1A “full top lighted” Catalogues
M41-0803 Alternate Straight 10° None Front and back right 2-4½ oz. 1A “lens lighted” Catalogues
M41-0805 Alternate Round 5 V 105–170 cN 1A Cherry M41 parts sheet
M41-0806 NSN 5930-01-116-6701
M41-0822 Alternate Straight None Front and back right 2-4½ oz. 1A “lens lighted” Catalogues
M42-0101 NSN 5930-01-102-5338

M5 and M6

There is no clear distinction between M5 and M6, and thus both subseries are grouped together here. While M6 part numbers are mostly schematic, M5 part numbers seem to be simply assigned sequentially, with many gaps in the numbering range. Most T-stem switches appear to fall within M5 (with M61-0120 being the exception), as do the space bar types. The Burroughs customer-specific types also come under M5.

Part Action Characteristics Stem Angle Force Contacts Notes Source NSN
261-0100 Momentary Straight 2½±½ oz. 1A Changed to M61-0100 1971 brochure
262-0100 Momentary Straight 2½±½ oz. 2A Changed to M62-0100 1971 brochure
M51-0101 Momentary High force 1A Tektronix 4051, 4054 5930-00-362-0213
M51-0106 Momentary Space bar Straight 2½-4½ oz. 1A “(paddle type)” Catalogues 5930-00-362-0237
M51-0107 Momentary Space bar Straight 10° 2½-4½ oz. 1A “(paddle type)” Catalogues 5930-01-337-1612
M51-0108 Momentary 1A NSN 5930-01-049-4181
M51-0120 Momentary High force? 1A Tektronix 4027 (B80-91AB), Erase key
M51-0129 Momentary Custom 1A Custom part for Burroughs; changed to M51-0131 Cherry drawing (1973–79)
M51-0131 Momentary Custom 57–85 cN 1A Custom part for Burroughs Cherry drawing (1973–79); M51 parts sheet
M51-0137 Momentary Straight 80–135 cN 1B Custom part for Rufenach Cherry M51 parts sheet
M51-0143 Momentary High force T 6 oz. nom. 1A Catalogues
M51-0150 Momentary 1A Tektronix 4027 (B80-91AB), function keys 5930-01-116-5273
M51-0152 Momentary 1A NSN 5930-01-086-9140
M51-0178 Momentary 1A White stem, but seems to be 0°; also black 10° T Tektronix 4027 (B80-91AB), most keys
M51-0182 Momentary T 10° 2½ oz. nom. 1A Catalogues 5930-01-086-7225
M51-0194 1A NSN 5930-01-086-9141
M51-0195 NSN 5930-01-124-5569
M51-0196 NSN 5930-01-116-6703
M51-0198 1A NSN 5930-01-086-9140
M51-0199 1A NSN 5930-01-116-6702
M51-0226 Momentary High force T 10° 6 oz. nom. 1A Catalogues
M51-0227 Momentary Space bar T 2½-4½ oz. 1A “(wire form type)” Catalogues
M51-0228 Momentary Space bar T 10° 2½-4½ oz. 1A “(wire form type)” Catalogues
M51-0229 Momentary Tactile T 3 oz. nom. 1A Catalogues
M52-0104 Momentary Straight 2½ oz. 2A 1973 catalogue; anomalous
M61-0025 Momentary Shift Straight 2½ oz. nom. 1A Catalogues
M61-0026 Momentary Shift Straight 10° 2½ oz. nom. 1A Catalogues
M61-0027 Momentary Shift lock Straight 2½ oz. nom. 1A Catalogues
M61-0028 Momentary Shift lock Straight 10° 2½ oz. nom. 1A Catalogues
M61-0100 Momentary Straight 2½ oz. 1A Catalogues 5930-00-365-9194
M61-0110 Momentary Straight 10° 2½ oz. 1A Catalogues
M61-0120 Momentary T 2½ oz. nom. 1A Catalogues 5930-01-102-5199
M61-0300 Momentary Shift Straight 2½ oz. 1A Catalogues
M61-0310 Momentary Shift Straight 10° 2½ oz. 1A Catalogues
M61-0500 Momentary Shift lock Straight 2½ oz. 1A Catalogues
M61-0510 Momentary Shift lock Straight 10° 2½ oz. 1A Catalogues
M61-0800 Alternate action Straight 2-4½ oz. 1A Catalogues 5930-01-114-5267
M61-0805 Alternate action Straight 6 oz. nom. 1A Catalogues
M61-0806 Alternate action Straight 10° 6 oz. nom. 1A Catalogues
M61-0810 Alternate action Straight 10° 2-4½ oz. 1A Catalogues 5930-01-086-9141
M62-0100 Momentary Straight 2-4½ oz. 2A Catalogues 5930-01-031-6963
M62-0110 Momentary Straight 10° 2½ oz. 2A Catalogues
M62-0300 Momentary Shift lock Straight 60–130 cN 2A Cherry M62 parts sheet
M62-0310 Momentary Shift lock Straight 10° 60–130 cN 2A Cherry M62 parts sheet
M62-0900 Momentary Straight 2-4½ oz. 1A+1B Catalogues