Pioneer model question?

[Mike Brady (San Francisco, USA)]

Given the serial number is stamped on the back of the calculator's case, is it also stamped inside the calculator? Cause, I've come upon a unit where the outside serial number is physically gouged out. Since HP kept records of owners and their serial numbers, might this unit be stolen or what? Any comments?

[John Limpert]

I would be suspicious. I can't think of a legitimate reason for someone to erase the serial number. There are ways of recovering a defaced serial number if it's stamped into metal. They probably wouldn't work on plastic.

[Raymond Del Tondo]

Hello,

I've seen various HP calcs with scratched serial numbers.
In most cases these are returned and later remarketed units.

Raymond

[Randy Sloyer]

There are no identifying numbers inside Pioneers. The serial number on the case back is the only one.

I have seen several with obscured serial numbers as well, I believe Raymond is correct that HP did this with returned units that were later resold.

[John Stewart]

I was in sales at HP Canada for 19 years so got to see many things. Wes Pulling was for a long time the service manager for the calculator group. In many cases the customer got only his original case returned, but everything inside had been replaced. As a result S/N's may not match.

The Character "S" in the middle of the S/N indicates built in Singapore. If the character is "A" then it is built in America.

I have a 67, 75 & two 71B's. HPIL on one of the 71B's includes a mag tape, 9114B & interface to a PC. One of the 71B's has a 96K RAM from Handheld Products. I use it to keep track of my bicycle miles.

Just now beginning to have keypad problems with the 67 which I have used since 1975. Anyone have some ideas?

Cheers, John Stewart

[V-PN]

They are most probably warranty repair units. HP does not sell used goods. Sometimes you may stumble on a blank serial. Keep it - it's a collectors item. Some workers did not engarve the serial (by mistake...or lazyness/lack of time?).